Washington, Aug 21 (IANS) The Trump administration has approved a possible sale of KC-46A aerial refueling aircraft and related equipment to Qatar for an estimated $4.5 billion, the US State Department said in a statement.

Qatar has requested to purchase up to four KC-46A aircraft; eight PW4062 turbofan engines, including four spares, radar warning receivers, infrared countermeasure systems, and other equipment and support services, reports Xinhua news agency quoting the statement.

“Qatar will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces,” the statement read.

It said that the proposed sale “will not alter the basic military balance in the region.”

“The proposed sale will increase Qatar’s capability to meet current and future threats by enhancing its defense capabilities and interoperability with U.S. and allied forces and reinforcing Qatar’s strategic role in regional security,” the department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs said. “Qatar will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces.”

The deal also encompasses missile warning sensors, cartridge-actuated devices, propellant-actuated devices; control interface units, user data module cards, electronic warfare database support, KIV-77 crypto module, KY-100M crypto terminals and other parts.

The announcement comes amid heightened tensions in the region following the US and Israel’s war against Iran, which began in late February and resulted in thousands of deaths. Iran retaliated by targeting US bases and assets across Gulf countries.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran could face “very Draconian sanctions” even as he played down the Strait of Hormuz’s future importance, arguing that increased American energy production and new supply routes had reduced the world’s dependence on the strategic waterway.

“We have things that we could sanction. We have very Draconian sanctions, and we’ll see what happens,” Trump said at the White House when asked about possible new measures against Tehran.

The President said vessels were moving through the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea and serves as a critical route for global energy shipments.

“Right now, the Strait is open; we’ve got a lot of boats coming through, people aren’t reporting that,” he said. “And that may slow down a little bit at some point, but right now a lot of boats are coming through.”

Trump claimed that a US naval blockade against Iran had prevented ships from reaching the country. He did not provide supporting figures during his remarks.

–IANS

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