Washington: The White House has approved massive new arms sales totaling 15.67 billion U.S. dollars to Israel and Saudi Arabia, two major U.S. allies in the Middle East, amid tensions over Iran's unrest, the U.S. State Department said in a statement on Friday.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the new sale to Israel, amounting to 6.67 billion dollars, is divided into four separate packages. One of the packages includes 30 Apache attack helicopters equipped with rocket launchers and advanced targeting gear. Another package comprises 3,250 light tactical vehicles designed to "extend lines of communication" for Israeli forces.

The arms deal with Saudi Arabia, valued at 9 billion dollars, includes 730 Patriot missiles and related equipment. This sale is intended to support Saudi Arabia as a major regional non-NATO ally. The State Department confirmed that Congress was notified of the sales' approval earlier on Friday.