When Donald Trump declared an emergency to bypass congressional approval and expedite arms sales to countries in the Middle East region to “deter and defend themselves from the Islamic Republic of Iran”, concerns were raised on humanitarian grounds.

Now, however, security concerns are being raised regarding the building of high tech bomb parts in Saudi Arabia.

Congress had attempted to block an arms package which would allow Raytheon to ship 120,000 bombs to the Saudi state, adding to an already large weapon stockpile, but it was overturned via emergency authorisation by Mr Trump based on concerns regarding Iran.

The arms package also includes support for Saudi F-15 warplanes, mortars, anti-tank missiles, and rifles.

Mr Trump’s predecessor, Barack Obama, had ceased sales of bombs to the Saudis after it was discovered by human rights groups that the Saudi coalition in Yemen was using Raytheon’s Paveway bombs in targeted attacks on civilians.

The New York Times reports that the Trump administration’s emergency authorisation permits a top American defence firm called Raytheon Company, to couple with the Saudis and build their bomb parts in Saudi Arabia.

Some legislators, such as Kentucky Republican Rand Paul, have been vocal opponents of the arms deal, claiming that Saudi Arabia can not be trusted.

10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Show all 10 1 /10 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses In October 2014, three lawyers, Dr Abdulrahman al-Subaihi, Bander al-Nogaithan and Abdulrahman al-Rumaih , were sentenced to up to eight years in prison for using Twitter to criticize the Ministry of Justice. AFP/Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses In March 2015, Yemen’s Sunni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi was forced into exile after a Shia-led insurgency. A Saudi Arabia-led coalition has responded with air strikes in order to reinstate Mr Hadi. It has since been accused of committing war crimes in the country. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Women who supported the Women2Drive campaign, launched in 2011 to challenge the ban on women driving vehicles, faced harassment and intimidation by the authorities. The government warned that women drivers would face arrest. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Members of the Kingdom’s Shia minority, most of whom live in the oil-rich Eastern Province, continue to face discrimination that limits their access to government services and employment. Activists have received death sentences or long prison terms for their alleged participation in protests in 2011 and 2012. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses All public gatherings are prohibited under an order issued by the Interior Ministry in 2011. Those defy the ban face arrest, prosecution and imprisonment on charges such as “inciting people against the authorities”. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses In March 2014, the Interior Ministry stated that authorities had deported over 370,000 foreign migrants and that 18,000 others were in detention. Thousands of workers were returned to Somalia and other states where they were at risk of human rights abuses, with large numbers also returned to Yemen, in order to open more jobs to Saudi Arabians. Many migrants reported that prior to their deportation they had been packed into overcrowded makeshift detention facilities where they received little food and water and were abused by guards. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses The Saudi Arabian authorities continue to deny access to independent human rights organisations like Amnesty International, and they have been known to take punitive action, including through the courts, against activists and family members of victims who contact Amnesty. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Raif Badawi was sentenced to 1000 lashes and 10 years in prison for using his liberal blog to criticise Saudi Arabia’s clerics. He has already received 50 lashes, which have reportedly left him in poor health. Carsten Koall/Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Dawood al-Marhoon was arrested aged 17 for participating in an anti-government protest. After refusing to spy on his fellow protestors, he was tortured and forced to sign a blank document that would later contain his ‘confession’. At Dawood’s trial, the prosecution requested death by crucifixion while refusing him a lawyer. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Ali Mohammed al-Nimr was arrested in 2012 aged either 16 or 17 for participating in protests during the Arab spring. His sentence includes beheading and crucifixion. The international community has spoken out against the punishment and has called on Saudi Arabia to stop. He is the nephew of a prominent government dissident. Getty

“Few nations should be trusted less than Saudi Arabia,” Mr Paul said in a statement.

“In recent years, they have fomented human atrocities, repeatedly lied to the United States and have proved to be a reckless regional pariah. It is concerning and irresponsible for the United States to continue providing them arms.”

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

Access to Raytheon’s technology may allow Saudis to build technology similar to American precision-guided bombs, which the Saudi government had previously used on Yemeni civilians in a war four years ago.

The emergency authorisation permits Raytheon and Saudi Arabia to assemble control systems, guidance electronics, and circuit cards that are used in the company’s “smart bombs”.