KUALA LUMPUR – (Reuters) – Following reports from the UAE that they were going to stop discussing the F-35 sale, U.S. Secretary Antony Blinken announced Wednesday that the United States would move forward with F-35 fighter planes and drones sales to the United Arab Emirates.

According to Reuters, a UAE official said Tuesday that the UAE had told America that they would not be discussing acquisition of F-35 fighter aircrafts as part of a $23 billion agreement that also covers drones and advanced munitions.

According to the official, the UAE government had to reassess the deal because of “technical and sovereign operational constraints” and “cost/benefit analysis”.

People familiar with the situation said that 50 F-35 planes were purchased by UAE, as well as up to 18 armed drones.

Blinken spoke at a Kuala Lumpur press conference and said that Washington must conduct reviews.

Blinken stated that they wanted to ensure, “for example, that Israel maintains its qualitative military edge. Therefore, we had to review any technology that was sold or transferred to partners in the region including the UAE.”

He said, “But I believe we remain prepared to move ahead if the UAE wants to pursue both of them.”