Washington, DC – Media reports indicate that US President Donald Trump disregarded warnings from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the potential sale of advanced F-35 fighter jets to Turkey. At the same time, Trump expressed his appreciation for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his desire to expand defense cooperation with Ankara.
The reports stated that Netanyahu, during talks with Trump, voiced his concern that Turkey’s acquisition of the American stealth fighters would undermine Israel’s qualitative military edge in the region, a principle the United States is keen to maintain in its military dealings with its Middle Eastern allies.
In contrast, Trump adopted a more conciliatory stance toward Turkey, praising relations with Ankara and its role within NATO, and asserting that strengthening cooperation with Turkey serves US strategic interests in the region.
These developments come as Ankara seeks to rejoin the F-35 fighter jet program, from which it was excluded in 2019 following its purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense system—a decision that also led to US sanctions on Turkey’s defense industry.
Although no official decision has yet been made regarding the deal, the renewed discussion reflects ongoing debate within the US administration about the future of defense relations with Turkey, amidst clear differences in positions between Washington and Tel Aviv concerning the repercussions of any such move on the regional balance of power.
Observers believe that any progress on the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey will face extensive scrutiny within the US Congress, given the sensitivity of the deal and its potential impact on the military balance in the Middle East, in addition to its connection to other issues, including US-Turkish relations and the future of defense cooperation between the two countries.
