Newsroom
The geopolitical landscape of the Eastern Mediterranean faces a potential shift following reports that US President Donald Trump is reconsidering a ban on selling F-35 fighter jets to Turkey. The development, discussed during the recent NATO summit in Ankara, has drawn strong opposition from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In a televised interview with US network CNN on July 7, 2026, Netanyahu pointed directly to Turkey's actions in Cyprus and Greece as primary reasons to block the deal.
Netanyahu argued that supplying advanced military aviation to Ankara would compromise the existing balance of power, stating that the sale "would destroy the power balance in the Middle East, because Turkey, I think, has aggressive aspirations." He urged Washington to recognize that "notwithstanding the personal friendship that President Trump has with Erdogan, it doesn't make Turkey a friendly... state to the United States."
The Israeli leader brought the security of Cyprus and Greece into the international spotlight by challenging Turkey’s standing as an ally. Netanyahu stated that Erdogan "is not exactly a model ally of the United States," adding:
"But even worse than that, he threatens Greece, a NATO ally. He occupies half of Cyprus, another NATO country."
The prospective sale represents a reversal of Washington's previous stance, which disqualified Turkey from the stealth fighter program after Ankara acquired Russian missile defense systems.
