Netanyahu urges US not to sell F-35 fighter jets to Turkey

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged the United States not to sell F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, arguing it would “upset the power balance” in the region. Speaking on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends” on Monday, Netanyahu said he believes Turkey should not receive either the aircraft or engines for its fighter jets, citing Israeli air superiority and America’s posture in the Middle East. US President Donald Trump is scheduled to depart for Ankara later Monday to attend a NATO summit, after previously hinting he could take actions that would please Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The F-35, built by Lockheed Martin and developed under the Joint Strike Fighter program, had Turkey as a partner before Washington removed Ankara in 2019 following Turkey’s purchase of Russia’s S-400. Vice President JD Vance later said any F-35 sale would require congressional approval.