Trump on Erdogan, Netanyahu and selling fighter jets to Turkiye

What the report says

Al Jazeera reported that US President Donald Trump described Turkiye as “a great ally” when asked about the possibility of selling F-35 fighter jets to Ankara. The comments, published on July 28, 2026, came as Trump referenced his relationship with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and indicated a favorable view of ties with Ankara.

The report said Trump made the remarks ahead of a planned meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has opposed the proposed sale. Al Jazeera’s brief account did not provide further details on the setting of Trump’s comments, the status of any negotiations, or whether the administration had made a formal decision on transferring the aircraft.

The issue matters because F-35 sales involve sensitive US defense technology and usually require coordination among the executive branch, Congress and international partners. Turkiye, a NATO member, has long sought advanced fighter aircraft to support its air force, while Israel closely watches regional weapons transfers that could affect its security calculations.

For context beyond Al Jazeera’s short report, the F-35 question has been a recurring point of friction in US-Turkiye relations, including over Ankara’s defense procurement choices and Washington’s concerns about interoperability and security. Any renewed push to sell F-35s to Turkiye would likely draw scrutiny from lawmakers, defense officials and regional governments, especially if Netanyahu maintains opposition.