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

File picture of U.S. President Donald Trump. /VCG

The new sale to Israel, totaling $6.67 billion, comprises four separate packages, including one for 30 Apache attack helicopters equipped with rocket launchers and advanced targeting gear, and another for 3,250 light tactical vehicles aimed "to extend lines of communication" for Israeli forces, according to the statement.The sale to Saudi Arabia, worth $9 billion, covers 730 Patriot missiles and related equipment and is intended to support a major regional non-NATO ally, the statement said.

The State Department added that it notified Congress of the sales' approval earlier on Friday.