President Donald Trump has signaled a willingness to sell Turkey the U.S.-made F-35 fighter jet, expressing optimism about the relationship with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. However, a letter from the State Department to Congress, dated July 22, states that Turkey has not fulfilled the legal requirements necessary to receive the advanced aircraft.
U.S. law prohibits the transfer of F-35 aircraft to Turkey until Ankara relinquishes its Russian-made S-400 missile defense system, commits not to acquire it again, and meets other certification criteria established by Congress. The State Department's finding directly contrasts with comments Trump made alongside Erdoğan at a NATO summit, where the president stated his administration would lift sanctions on Turkey and consider selling the jets.
"Turkey has not yet met these conditions," the department stated in the letter, which was first obtained by the Greek newspaper Kathimerini. Trump, when asked about Turkey's continued possession of the S-400 system, said he had "no concerns about anything having to do with Turkey" and described relations with Ankara as "better probably than it’s ever been."
Turkey was removed from the F-35 development program in 2019 after its purchase of the S-400 from Russia. The U.S. subsequently imposed sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act. U.S. officials have voiced concerns that operating the Russian system in proximity to the F-35 could allow Russia to gather sensitive data on the stealth aircraft.
A State Department spokesperson, speaking on background, indicated that the administration encourages Ankara to resolve outstanding issues, acknowledging Turkey as a "valued NATO ally." The spokesperson also noted Turkey's support for U.S. diplomatic efforts concerning Russia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Gaza, as well as counter-ISIS operations. The department’s letter also highlighted Turkey's role in helping to secure acceptance of a Gaza peace plan and advance a ceasefire, while expressing concern about Hamas continuing to use financial channels operating from Turkish territory.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Turkey James Jeffrey suggested Trump's stance reflects his trust in Erdoğan and their cooperation on regional security matters, citing shared successes in areas like Libya, Syria, the Caucasus, and Ukraine. Jeffrey noted that transferring the S-400 to a third country could potentially satisfy legal and technical requirements, but Sinan Ciddi, director of the Turkey Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, added that Turkey would also need to provide assurances against acquiring major Russian military equipment in the future.
Reports have suggested the United Arab Emirates as a possible destination for the S-400, but Ciddi cautioned that there is no confirmation Abu Dhabi would accept it, and such a move could trigger U.S. penalties or jeopardize access to other American weapons. Ciddi further argued that resolving the S-400 issue should not automatically pave the way for an F-35 sale, citing Turkey's relationships with Hamas, continued ties with Russia, use of Chinese telecommunications technology, and ongoing tensions with U.S. partners like Greece, Cyprus, and Israel as additional obstacles.
Congress remains a potential hurdle, with lawmakers having previously prohibited F-35 transfers while Turkey possesses the S-400. Regional implications also exist, with reports indicating Israel has urged the Trump administration not to proceed with the sale, citing concerns about maintaining its qualitative military edge amid deepening tensions with Erdoğan. For now, the State Department's position emphasizes that Ankara must first relinquish the Russian system to meet the legal prerequisites for an F-35 sale.