**Trump Announces Plans to Lift Sanctions on Turkiye and Consider F-35 Sales**
**Ankara, Turkiye – July 7, 2026** – In a significant diplomatic development, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he intends to lift sanctions imposed on Turkiye and is contemplating the resumption of F-35 fighter jet sales to the country. This announcement came during a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Etimesgut airbase in Ankara, held on the sidelines of a NATO leaders’ summit.
The sanctions were originally enacted after Turkiye acquired the Russian S-400 air defense systems in 2019, which led to its removal from the F-35 program. Under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), the U.S. imposed restrictions targeting Turkiye’s Presidency of Defence Industries, which included bans on U.S. export licenses and various financial and banking restrictions.
During the meeting, Trump stated, “We’re going to be taking the sanctions off,” indicating a shift in U.S. policy towards Turkiye. He also mentioned that a decision regarding the sale of F-35s would be made soon, describing the aircraft as “the best plane by far” and expressing openness to the idea of reinstating Turkiye in the F-35 program.
However, any potential return to the F-35 program would require overcoming a 2020 law that mandates the current presidential administration to confirm that Turkiye no longer operates or possesses the Russian S-400 systems. This adds a layer of complexity to the decision-making process.
Erdogan expressed optimism regarding the F-35 negotiations, hoping for a “favorable decision” on the matter, noting that Turkiye had previously been promised five jets. The discussions come at a time when relations between Turkiye and Israel have been strained, despite increased trade ties. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been vocal about his opposition to the sale of F-35s to Turkiye, arguing that it could disrupt the power balance in the Middle East, which he claims is maintained by Israeli air superiority and U.S. military posture in the region.
Netanyahu’s concerns were echoed in his recent interview with Fox News, where he emphasized the potential ramifications of such a sale on regional stability. The backdrop of the ongoing military campaign in Lebanon and the U.S.-Israel war on Iran further complicates the geopolitical landscape.
The prospect of lifting sanctions and resuming F-35 sales has drawn mixed reactions within the U.S. Congress. While some lawmakers express apprehension about the implications for U.S.-Israel relations, others, like Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, have indicated a willingness to explore solutions that could satisfy both parties. Graham acknowledged the potential for pushback in Congress but remained hopeful that a compromise could be reached.
As the situation develops, the international community will be closely monitoring the outcomes of this diplomatic engagement between the U.S. and Turkiye, particularly in the context of broader regional dynamics and U.S. relations with Israel.