President Donald Trump announced the United States will lift sanctions on Turkey and consider resuming the sale of F-35 fighter jets.
This policy shift represents a significant reset of U.S. Turkey relations. By strengthening Turkey's defense capabilities, the administration aims to stabilize a key regional partnership, though the move has created friction with other allies.
The decision follows a series of high-level diplomatic engagements. Trump hosted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the White House in September 2025 to discuss the lifting of the ban on F-35 sales. By December 2025, the U.S. ambassador to Ankara said the administration was moving closer to resolving the ban.
Central to these negotiations is a proposed $700 million [1] jet-engine deal. While some reports focus on the sale of the F-35 aircraft themselves, other accounts specify that the current deal concerns the engines required for the jets. This specific proposal has already sparked backlash from members of Congress.
Regional reactions have been mixed. Israel warned that the deal could shift the regional balance of power, according to reports from WION. Other outlets have not noted similar opposition from the Israeli government.
The administration's approach prioritizes the strategic alignment of Turkey within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. By removing sanctions, the U.S. seeks to ensure Turkey remains a viable partner in Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern security operations.
“The United States will lift sanctions on Turkey and consider resuming the sale of F-35 fighter jets.”
The potential restoration of F-35 sales and the $700 million engine deal signals a pivot toward transactional diplomacy with Ankara. By prioritizing the bilateral relationship over the concerns of regional allies like Israel or congressional skeptics, the U.S. is attempting to secure Turkey's cooperation in a volatile geopolitical landscape, potentially at the cost of traditional security guarantees.
