The Times said on its website that Israeli officials, including former defence minister Shaul Mofaz, have strongly lobbied Washington to block parts of a planned arms package for the Saudis and unspecified others in the Middle East that could be worth five billion to 10 billion dollars.

Israel is particularly concerned that the United States will supply the Saudis with precision-guided, air-based weapons that could erode Israel's military superiority in the region, the newspaper said, citing unnamed US government sources.

"The Israeli complaints have introduced a new uncertainty into the administration's plan to beef up Persian Gulf militaries as a bulwark against Iran and as a demonstration that, no matter what happens in Iraq, Washington remains committed to the Sunni Arab governments around the region," the Times said.