Trump Dismisses Israeli Opposition to Possible F-35 Sale to Turkiye
US President Donald Trump has dismissed Israeli concerns over a potential sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkiye, saying decisions on US arms sales are made by Washington alone.
Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump described Turkiye as a “tremendous ally” and praised its role in regional issues, including Syria. While noting that Ankara and Israel have differences, he stressed that US-Turkiye relations remain strong.
Trump said during the recent NATO summit that he would consider restoring F-35 sales to Turkiye. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan later said Trump had taken a positive approach toward the issue.
Turkiye was removed from the F-35 program in 2019 after purchasing Russia’s S-400 air defense system. Ankara has consistently argued that the S-400 does not threaten the F-35 program, says it met all of its obligations, and maintains that its participation would strengthen both Turkiye and NATO.
