US President Donald Trump has publicly dismissed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s objections to a possible sale of American F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, saying decisions on US defence exports will be made by Washington alone.
The remarks came just as Netanyahu arrived in Washington for talks expected to centre on Iran, regional security and wider Middle East diplomacy. Trump’s comments exposed a key difference between the two allies even as both leaders prepared for another round of high-level discussions.
Trump says US alone will decide on F-35 sale
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday (local time), Trump rejected suggestions that Israel could influence US decisions on military sales.
“Nobody tells me what we should be selling,” Trump said.
He also described Turkey as “a tremendous ally” and said Ankara had shown loyalty to the United States.
Trump said his administration would consider allowing Turkey to purchase the F-35 stealth fighter despite restrictions imposed earlier. He also indicated that sanctions linked to Turkey’s acquisition of the Russian S-400 air defence system would be lifted.
Calling the F-35 “the best plane by far”, Trump said the proposed sale was “certainly something we will consider”.
Netanyahu warns against arming Turkey
Netanyahu has repeatedly opposed the possibility of Turkey acquiring the advanced fighter aircraft.
According to CNN, the Israeli leader said he had personally urged Trump not to approve the sale after the US President indicated he was reviewing restrictions introduced during his first term.
“The sale of America’s most advanced fighter aircraft doesn’t make Turkey a friendly state to the United States,” Netanyahu told CNN.
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’s not exactly a model ally of the United States,” Netanyahu said. “He threatens to destroy my country, the one and only Jewish state.”
He also argued that supplying the aircraft to Turkey would upset the military balance in the Middle East.
Iran tops White House agenda
Before departing for Washington, Netanyahu said Iran would be the primary focus of his meeting with Trump.
“We will discuss all the issues on the agenda, first and foremost, Iran,” he said in remarks shared on X.
“Our goal is to safeguard our security and also to expand the circle of peace around us. I am embarking on this mission with one clear goal – to ensure the security, strength, and future of our dear State of Israel.”
Netanyahu described the visit as his eighth face-to-face meeting with Trump since the US President began his second term.
“I am on my way to Washington for a meeting with our friend, President Donald Trump,” he said.
“This is my eighth meeting with him since he was elected president for his second term, more than any other international leader. This is a great privilege, but it is also a great responsibility.”
White House also preparing for Zelensky meeting
According to CNN, Trump is also expected to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Tuesday in a separate meeting.
A White House official told CNN that Trump’s discussions with Netanyahu are expected to cover Iran, negotiations involving Lebanon and efforts to expand the Abraham Accords.
Trump also acknowledged that he and Netanyahu are not completely aligned on Iran.
“We have a little difference, but pretty close,” he said.