Amichai Stein (i24NEWS) reports that Republican and Democratic members of Congress are criticizing the administration's push to sell F-35s and F-110 engines to Turkey, but the chance of Congress blocking the deals is assessed as slim. Even if the F-35 sale goes through, it would reportedly come with restrictions.
In a Thursday evening broadcast on i24NEWS, journalist Amichai Stein reported that both Republican and Democratic lawmakers are voicing criticism of the Trump administration's push to approve the sale of F-35 fighter jets and F-110 engines to Turkey. Despite the bipartisan unease, the assessment among sources is that the chances of Congress successfully blocking the deals are ' slim.' Stein added that even if the F-35 sale proceeds, the aircraft would reportedly be delivered with operational restrictions.
This report follows a series of developments The Zioneer has covered throughout Thursday, including President Trump's indication he would likely approve the sale, Vice President Vance's call for a legal review, and the Wall Street Journal's report that the administration planned to bypass Congress on the engine deal. Former Israeli Air Force officials have publicly urged the government to oppose the sale, warning it could erode Israel's air superiority in the Eastern Mediterranean.
As of Thursday night, no formal congressional action to block either the engine or F-35 sale has been reported. The administration's timeline for finalizing the deals remains unclear.
- StrongTrump says he will likely approve F-35 and engine sale to Turkey
- DevelopingWSJ: Trump administration plans to bypass Congress on $750m jet engine sale to Turkey
- DevelopingFormer Israeli Air Force official urges government to block potential US F-35 sale to Turkey
- DevelopingVance says US may sell F-35s to Turkey, needs legal review
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