US President Donald Trump has brushed aside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s objections to the possible sale of American F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, saying decisions on US arms exports will be made by Washington alone. Trump described Turkey as a “tremendous ally” and indicated that his administration was still considering the proposed deal.

The remarks came as Netanyahu arrived in Washington on Monday for talks with Trump, with regional security, Iran and defence cooperation expected to dominate discussions between the two leaders.

Trump Defends Possible F-35 Sale

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump rejected suggestions that foreign leaders could influence US decisions on defence exports.

“Nobody tells me what we should be selling,” Trump said. “Turkey has been a tremendous ally for me.”

Earlier this month, Netanyahu publicly opposed the potential sale of US-made F-35 stealth fighter jets to Turkey, arguing that such a move would upset the strategic balance in the Middle East.

Netanyahu Raises Security Concerns

In an interview with CNN, Netanyahu said he had personally urged Trump not to approve the sale after the US President indicated he was reviewing restrictions imposed during his first term.

Netanyahu argued that supplying America’s most advanced fighter aircraft to Turkey would strengthen a government he believes is hostile to both Israel and the United States.

Referring to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Netanyahu said Turkey was “a regime that’s infected with the Muslim Brotherhood, which hates the United States.”

He also said Erdogan was “not exactly a model ally of the United States” and accused him of threatening Israel, warning that providing F-35 aircraft to Turkey would “destroy the power balance in the Middle East.”

Trump Signals Policy Shift

Trump recently said his administration would soon decide whether to allow Turkey to purchase F-35 fighter jets despite an existing congressional ban linked to Ankara’s acquisition of the Russian S-400 air defence system.

He also announced that sanctions imposed over Turkey’s purchase of the S-400 system would be lifted.

Defending Ankara, Trump said the United States now enjoys a stronger relationship with Turkey and argued that many believe the country should be allowed to rejoin the F-35 programme despite the controversy surrounding its purchase of Russian defence equipment.

Calling the F-35 “the best plane by far”, Trump said the proposed sale was “certainly something we will consider.”

Turkey Optimistic About Deal

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has indicated that Ankara believes it is close to securing an agreement to purchase F-35 fighter jets from the United States.

Erdogan also said Turkey expects to obtain American-made engines for its indigenous KAAN fighter aircraft as part of broader defence cooperation with Washington.

The proposed sale remains under scrutiny, with concerns over its potential impact on regional security and NATO dynamics continuing to feature prominently in discussions between the United States, Turkey and Israel.

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