United States arms sales to Middle East

This file concerns US arms sales to Middle Eastern states. It contains correspondence relating to:

• Recent US arms contracts with Middle Eastern states including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Israel and Egypt; and the problems facing these
• Lists of proposed arms sales submitted to President Jimmy Carter for clearance
• Statements by President Carter about restraint on arms sales
• HMG’s position on President Carter’s proposals
• Uncertainty around the sale of Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) to Iran
• American discrediting of British Aerospace Nimrod aircraft
• Press coverage on US arms sales
• Bahrain’s interest in acquiring sophisticated weaponry
• US military assistance to Kuwait
• The visit of the Shah of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi to Washington, DC covering arms sales, oil prices and other matters; which was met with demonstrations outside the White House.