The US State Department has formally notified Congress that Turkey will not be permitted to purchase F-35 stealth fighter jets, citing non-compliance with conditions including the possession of Russian S-400 air defense systems and ties to Hamas, according to a report.
The US State Department has formally notified Congress that Turkey will not receive F-35 stealth fighter jets, citing Ankara's failure to meet conditions including the possession of Russian S-400 air defense systems and ties to Hamas, according to a report shared by a security analyst. The notification, which emerged Friday, marks a definitive step in the saga over the potential sale.
On Friday, The Zioneer reported the initial State Department letter stating Turkey's ineligibility due to the S-400, with subsequent versions adding details: the letter also noted concern over Hamas financing networks operating from Turkish territory and acknowledged Turkey's role in the Gaza ceasefire. Later, The Zioneer's analysis (v6) assessed that the deal is not dead but remains blocked by the S-400 precondition, revealing an internal administration struggle between Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is less enthusiastic, and Ambassador Tom Barrack, who pushes for the deal.
The Zioneer has tracked this story for weeks. On July 7, President Trump reversed his stance, warning that F-35s in Turkey's hands would destroy the Middle East's balance of power. Col. (res.) Uzi Dayan warned the acquisition would be dangerous, and U.S. lawmakers (including Senator Lindsey Graham and a bipartisan House group) voiced opposition. Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan criticized the arms-sale denial as unjustified, as The Zioneer reported on July 2.
The current notification does not specify whether the decision is permanent or subject to future review. The earlier analysis suggests the outcome may depend on Turkey's steps regarding the S-400 system, leaving the door technically open.
6 developments
- DevelopingTrump leans toward approving F-35 sale to Turkey, praises Erdogan's help
- DevelopingVance says US may sell F-35s to Turkey, needs legal review
- StrongTrump says he would not sell F-35s to Turkey, warns of regional imbalance
- DevelopingSegal: Turkey has not earned trust — F-35 sale to Erdogan endangers Israel's security
Source and signal
- Open-source intake