Netanyahu Warns Trump Against F-35 Sales to Turkey

Netanyahu issued the warning during a broadcast appearance on Fox & Friends, specifically citing hostile rhetoric from Turkish leadership. He pointed to recent statements by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan as evidence that the administration of Recep Tayyip Erdogan remains fundamentally opposed to Israel's existence. The Israeli leader emphasized that supplying these aircraft would be a strategic error, directly contradicting recent signals from President Donald Trump, who suggested he might facilitate Turkey's return to the F-35 program.

Turkey’s interest in the technology centers on its domestic KAAN stealth fighter project, which requires high-performance F110 engines to reach fifth-generation combat capability. Washington previously expelled Turkey from the F-35 partnership in 2019 following Ankara’s decision to purchase the Russian S-400 missile defense system. Despite tensions regarding the conflict in Iran, Netanyahu maintained that his personal relationship with Trump remains strong, noting that plans for a future meeting in Washington are still being coordinated.