Iran is undaunted by Washington's intention to provide substantial military aid to its allies in the Middle East, the Iranian defense minister said Wednesday.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates have arrived in Egypt with promises of military aid for Arab nations and Israel.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates have arrived in Egypt with promises of weapons for allies in the Middle East, saying it would help counter Al-Qaeda, Hizballah, Syria, and Iran.

The Bush administration's plans to sell modern weaponry and increase military assistance to its allies in the Middle East are aimed at exerting pressure on Iran and strengthening the Republicans' positions on the domestic front, Russian experts said Tuesday.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has announced a proposed $13 billion military aid deal with Egypt and a $30 billion military package for Israel.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates today start a key Middle East mission to seek Arab support for the Iraqi government and also discuss weapons sales to regional allies. They will make rare joint visits to Egypt and Saudi Arabia before going on separate trips to other parts of the region.

U.S. officials say the Bush administration is expected to ask Congress to approve a major arms sale package for Saudi Arabia and other Persian Gulf nations, partly to counter Iran's rising influence in the region.

A noted Swedish research institute says global military spending by the world's 100 largest weapons manufacturers rose by 3.5 percent in 2006, to $290 billion.