US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is scheduled to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday to discuss the potential sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkiye, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters. The source, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, confirmed the meeting would also include Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, with Iran expected to feature prominently in their discussions.
Netanyahu Voices Opposition
In a CNN interview on Tuesday, Netanyahu stated his opposition to the sale of F-35s to Turkiye, saying he had made his stance clear to President Donald Trump. “It would destroy the power balance in the Middle East because Turkiye has aggressive aspirations,” Netanyahu told CNN. Turkiye, a NATO member, has long criticized Israeli operations in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, and has repeatedly accused Israel of trying to undermine the US-Iran ceasefire deal mediated by Pakistan.
Trump Signals Willingness to Sell
President Donald Trump, who is attending a NATO summit in Turkiye, announced on Tuesday that he would lift US sanctions imposed on Ankara over its 2019 purchase of Russian S-400 air defense missiles. He also signaled a willingness to sell the NATO ally F-35 fighter jets, a move likely to face strong resistance in Congress as well as in Israel. Bilateral relations had deteriorated sharply over Turkiye’s acquisition of the S-400 system, which prompted the US to impose sanctions on a major Turkish defense company and remove Ankara from the F-35 stealth fighter jet program. Ties have improved markedly since Trump’s return to the White House in January 2025, but the jet sales remain blocked under US law.
Impact on Regional Dynamics
The potential sale of F-35s to Turkiye could significantly alter the military balance in the Middle East. Netanyahu’s concerns reflect broader Israeli apprehensions about Turkiye’s regional ambitions. The meeting between Hegseth and Netanyahu is expected to be a key moment in determining the future of US-Turkiye defense cooperation.
