Iran criticizes US arms deal with Saudi Arabia

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman on Monday criticized a US plan to sell state-of-the-art weapons to Saudi Arabia, saying it would undermine security in the Middle East, the state broadcasting company reported. Mohammad Ali Hosseini's comments followed reports last week that the US planned to sell Saudi Arabia an estimated US$20 billion (€15 billion) of sophisticated weaponry, including advanced air systems that would greatly enhance the striking ability of Saudi warplanes. "What the Persian Gulf region needs is stability and security," Hosseini was quoted as saying on the Web site of the state broadcasting company. "Americans have been trying to disturb it by selling weapons to the region."