US President Donald Trump has reaffirmed his support for a potential sale of F-35 stealth fighter jets to Turkey, dismissing concerns raised by Greece and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu just hours before the two leaders were scheduled to meet at the White House.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, describing him as “a friend,” and suggested that the decision over US arms sales rests with his administration.
“Nobody is going to tell me what to sell,” Trump said when asked about Israel’s opposition to Turkey rejoining the F-35 program. “Turkey is a great ally for me.”
Trump also acknowledged the strained relationship between Ankara and Jerusalem. “Turkey is not a big fan of Israel. You know that, right? And they’re not a big fan of Bibi either. But they’ve treated me wonderfully.”
His comments come as Netanyahu arrived in Washington, where he said discussions with Trump would focus primarily on Iran, although differences over US policy toward Turkey are also expected to feature in bilateral talks.
Turkey seeking return to F-35 program
The issue of Turkey’s possible return to the F-35 program resurfaced earlier this month following talks between Trump and Erdogan on the sidelines of the NATO summit. Trump said he would “certainly consider” allowing Turkey back into the program, while Erdogan later welcomed what he described as the US President’s positive approach.
Turkey was removed from the multinational F-35 program in 2019 after acquiring the Russian-made S-400 air defense system, prompting Washington to impose sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). US officials have consistently maintained that Ankara cannot rejoin the program while it possesses the S-400 system, arguing that operating the Russian air defense platform alongside the F-35 could compromise the aircraft’s sensitive technology.
S-400 remains key obstacle
Reports in recent weeks suggest Turkey is exploring options to dispose of or transfer its S-400 batteries, including a possible sale to a Gulf country. Such a move would reportedly require Russia’s approval, with the Kremlin acknowledging that discussions on the issue are “extremely sensitive.” However, no agreement has been announced.
Last week, the US State Department reiterated that Turkey has not yet met the legal conditions required for reentry into the F-35 program. In a letter responding to Democratic Representative Wesley Bell, the department stated that Ankara must first relinquish ownership of the S-400 system and related equipment before any change in policy could be considered.
Congressional approval still required
Despite Trump’s supportive remarks, a return to the F-35 program is far from certain. Beyond resolving the S-400 issue, any major US arms sale to Turkey would likely face scrutiny in Congress, where lawmakers from both parties have previously expressed concerns over Ankara’s defense policies, regional disputes with Greece and Cyprus, and its broader relationship with Russia.
For now, Trump’s comments represent the clearest indication yet that his administration is willing to revisit Turkey’s exclusion from the world’s most advanced fighter jet program, even as significant legal and political obstacles remain.
Related: What Turkey’s Possible Return to the F-35 Means for Greece and the Balance in the Aegean
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