US secretary of state Marco Rubio `The United States approved an emergency arms sale worth $151.8 million to Israel as the conflict in the Middle East continues to escalate.The US State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs approved the sale of 12,000 requested 1,000-pound (450-kilogram) bomb casings, according to a press release issued on Friday. The munitions are intended to strengthen Israel’s military capabilities amid the intensifying conflict.In addition to the bomb casings, the deal includes engineering, logistics and technical support services provided by US government and contract personnel. Some of the equipment will be supplied from existing US stockpiles.“The proposed sale will improve Israel’s capability to meet current and future threats, strengthen its homeland defense, and serve as a deterrent to regional threats,” the bureau said in a statement cited by AFP.The state department said secretary of state Marco Rubio approved the deal using emergency authority under the Arms Export Control Act, allowing the administration to bypass the usual congressional review process.“The Secretary of State has determined and provided detailed justification that an emergency exists that requires the immediate sale to the Government of Israel of the above defense articles and defense services is in the national security interests of the United States,” it said.The approval comes as fighting between Israel, the United States and Iran continues to intensify. Explosions sent clouds of dark smoke over the Iranian capital early Saturday, while Tehran responded by firing missiles at Israel.US and Israel have carried out repeated strikes on Iran targeting its military capabilities, leadership and nuclear programme. The stated goals and timelines of the war have continued to shift, with US officials at times suggesting the conflict could lead to the removal of Iran’s government or the emergence of new leadership from within.The emergency approval has drawn criticism from some lawmakers. Congressman Gregory Meeks, a Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said bypassing congressional review raised concerns about the administration’s claims that it was prepared for the conflict.“The Trump administration has repeatedly insisted it was fully prepared for this war,” Meeks said in a statement. “Rushing to invoke emergency authority to circumvent Congress tells a different story.”“This is an emergency of the Trump administration’s own creation.”