During the NATO summit, President Donald Trump praised the U.S. relationship with Turkey as "better than it's ever been" and opened the door to selling Turkey the U.S.' advanced F-35 fighter jets. He also promised to remove sanctions imposed on Ankara over its purchase of the Russian S-400 missile defense system.

However, a July 22 letter from the U.S. State Department to Congress, first obtained by the Greek newspaper Kathimerini, clarifies that Turkey has not met the legal requirements necessary to receive the F-35 aircraft. The letter states that U.S. law prohibits transferring F-35 jets to Turkey until Ankara no longer possesses the Russian-made S-400 system or related equipment, commits not to acquire it again, and fulfills other certification requirements established by Congress.

Experts highlight that the S-400 issue, which led to Turkey's removal from the F-35 program, is only the minimum hurdle. Additional concerns include Turkey's ties with Hamas, ongoing relations with Russia, use of Chinese telecommunications technology, and tensions with U.S. partners such as Greece, Cyprus, and Israel.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed confidence in Trump and noted that Turkey had previously been promised five F-35 aircraft. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned about Turkey's support for Hamas, and some Republicans reportedly expressed discomfort with Trump's stance, fearing a shift in the Middle East's balance of power.

The State Department's position underscores the complex geopolitical and legal challenges surrounding the potential F-35 sale to Turkey.

Sources