Russian S-400 system remains the central obstacle despite Trump signaling support for a renewed agreement
by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief
WASHINGTON (Worthy News) – Turkey has not met the conditions required to purchase American F-35 fighter jets, the U.S. State Department said, despite President Donald Trump recently signaling that he would support reviving the long-stalled sale.
In a letter to Rep. Wesley Bell, the State Department said Ankara must resolve concerns surrounding its possession of the Russian-made S-400 air defense system before sanctions can be lifted or an F-35 agreement approved.
Turkey was removed from the multinational F-35 program in 2020 after purchasing the S-400 system from Moscow. The acquisition triggered U.S. sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act.
The department said Turkey would have to relinquish the S-400 system and related equipment, guarantee that it will not purchase the system again, and satisfy additional requirements established by Congress.
“Turkey has not yet met these conditions,” the State Department said, while leaving open the possibility of a future agreement.
Trump said during a July 7 meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that he intended to lift sanctions and appeared receptive to approving the aircraft sale. However, the State Department’s letter indicated that the administration’s official policy has not yet changed.
Israel strongly opposes selling the advanced stealth fighters to Turkey, warning that the move could threaten its legally protected qualitative military edge in the Middle East. Israel remains the only country in the region currently operating the F-35.
Highlights
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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US Says Turkey Still Fails to Meet Conditions for F-35 Sale
Russian S-400 system remains the central obstacle despite Trump signaling support for a renewed agreement
by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief
WASHINGTON (Worthy News) – Turkey has not met the conditions required to purchase American F-35 fighter jets, the U.S. State Department said, despite President Donald Trump recently signaling that he would support reviving the long-stalled sale.
In a letter to Rep. Wesley Bell, the State Department said Ankara must resolve concerns surrounding its possession of the Russian-made S-400 air defense system before sanctions can be lifted or an F-35 agreement approved.
Turkey was removed from the multinational F-35 program in 2020 after purchasing the S-400 system from Moscow. The acquisition triggered U.S. sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act.
The department said Turkey would have to relinquish the S-400 system and related equipment, guarantee that it will not purchase the system again, and satisfy additional requirements established by Congress.
“Turkey has not yet met these conditions,” the State Department said, while leaving open the possibility of a future agreement.
Trump said during a July 7 meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that he intended to lift sanctions and appeared receptive to approving the aircraft sale. However, the State Department’s letter indicated that the administration’s official policy has not yet changed.
Israel strongly opposes selling the advanced stealth fighters to Turkey, warning that the move could threaten its legally protected qualitative military edge in the Middle East. Israel remains the only country in the region currently operating the F-35.
Highlights
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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