The State Department has informed Congress that Turkey remains ineligible for the F-35 program due to its possession of Russian S-400 systems, according to a letter dated July 22. The letter also expresses concern over Hamas's financial networks operating from Turkish territory, while noting that Ankara leveraged its ties with Hamas to advance the US peace plan for Gaza.
New details from a US State Department letter to Congress, dated July 22, indicate that the administration's concerns about Turkey extend beyond the S-400 issue to include Ankara's ties with Hamas. The letter notes that Turkey leveraged its relationship with Hamas's political leadership to ensure acceptance of the US peace plan for Gaza, but also warns of "Hamas' use of informal financial networks and unauthorized trading houses in Turkey" to access funds, which the department says it is committed to disrupting.
As The Zioneer reported earlier today (Fri 15:24), the State Department had already notified Congress that Turkey does not meet the conditions for rejoining the F-35 program due to its continued possession of the Russian S-400 air defense system. The new letter provides additional context, directly linking the F-35 ineligibility to both the S-400 and the Hamas-related concerns.
The letter comes amid a broader debate over Turkey's potential return to the stealth fighter program. The Trump administration has signaled openness to a review, but bipartisan opposition in Congress, as well as concerns from Israeli security officials, have raised hurdles. The letter does not definitively close the door on Turkey's eventual return, but it sets clear conditions: Ankara must divest the S-400, and the US will continue to monitor Hamas-linked financial activity.
Further developments are expected as Congress reviews the matter and as Turkey responds to the demands.
3 developments
- DevelopingSegal: Turkey has not earned trust — F-35 sale to Erdogan endangers Israel's security
- DevelopingUS House lawmakers urge Rubio and Hegseth to block F-35 sale to Turkey over S-400 concerns
- DevelopingTurkish official confident S-400 issue will be resolved, paving way for F-35 return
- StrongKremlin Confirms Talks With Turkey on S-400 Future, Peskov Calls Issue 'Extremely Sensitive'
Source and signal
- Open-source intake