ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – The US and Saudi Arabia on Tuesday signed a security agreement aiming to bolster defense cooperation between the two countries, with Washington approving to sell Saudi Arabia dozens of F-35 fighter jets, after Riyadh expressed willingness to normalize ties with Israel.

“[US] President [Donald] Trump and [Saudi] Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman [MBS] signed the Strategic Defense Agreement (SDA),” the White House announced in a statement, dubbing the deal “a win for the America First agenda,” by facilitating defense collaboration and securing funds from Riyadh.

As a part of the deal, Trump approved “a major defense sale package, including future F-35 deliveries,” which, according to the administration, ensures Riyadh’s continued purchase of American arms.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Trump said that he is “planning” on selling Saudi Arabia the aircrafts, adding that Riyadh has been a “great ally.”

The agreement came after Trump received the Saudi Crown Prince at the white house on Tuesday, a visit that might increase Saudi investment in the US to a trillion dollars, the Saudi prince noted.

In a meeting with Trump at the White House, MBS signaled readiness to join the Abraham Accords, but demanded a “clear path” for Palestinian statehood.

“I will say, we will be doing that, we will be selling F-35s” Trump said in a QnA session at the Oval Office prior to the meeting, highlighting Riyadh’s role as a strategic US partner.

The F-35 is one of Washington’s most technologically advanced fighter jets. Riyadh has long sought the aircraft, but Washington had repeatedly denied the requests, due to Riyadh’s close proximity to China, and concerns about potential Chinese access to America’s cutting-edge jets.

Israel is the only country in the Middle East in possession of American F-35s, numbering 45. The Saudi-US deal might mark a potential shift in regional dynamics, as “Israel’s air superiority could be eroded if other countries in the Middle East possess the advanced stealth aircraft,” Israeli state media reported Tuesday.