President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he plans to lift sanctions restricting the sale of military equipment to Turkey, signaling a potential resumption of F-35 stealth fighter jet sales despite opposition from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and some members of Congress.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, Trump stated, “We’re going to be taking the sanctions off. It’s time to do that. We don’t want to sanction friends.” The sanctions, initially imposed in response to Turkey’s 2019 purchase of the Russian-made S-400 surface-to-air missile system, had effectively barred Ankara from acquiring F-35 jets. These restrictions were formalized in 2020 under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
Although Trump stopped short of formally committing to the sale of the advanced fighter jets, his remarks suggested that the administration is seriously considering reversing the previous stance. The potential move marks a significant shift in U.S. policy toward Turkey, a NATO ally whose relations with both Washington and Israel have been fraught in recent years.
Israel has voiced strong opposition to the possible F-35 sales. Netanyahu, in an interview aired Monday, dismissed the idea, characterizing the Turkish government as “a regime infected by the Muslim Brotherhood,” an Islamist organization, and condemning its rhetoric, which includes chants of “Death to America.” He argued that Turkey should neither receive the jets nor their engines.
Concerns have also been raised within the U.S. Congress. Representative Mike Lawler, a Republican from New York, expressed worries regarding Turkey’s strategic reliability, citing Erdogan’s actions that have strained ties with the United States. “While Turkey is a NATO ally, President Erdogan has repeatedly taken actions that call into question the country’s reliability as a strategic partner,” Lawler said. He warned that the sale of F-35s to Turkey would present “significant national security concerns.”
Despite the opposition, Trump praised President Erdogan during the joint event, describing him as a “great leader” with whom he enjoys “good chemistry.” This positive tone contrasts with past periods of tension between the two countries, particularly surrounding Turkey’s procurement of the Russian missile system and its military activities in neighboring Syria.
The Trump administration’s reconsideration of Turkey’s eligibility for F-35s comes as Ankara seeks to strengthen its defense capabilities and reassert its position within NATO. The decision remains under consideration, with implications for U.S. alliances and regional security dynamics closely watched by international observers.