Turbulent Ties: F-35 Fighter Jet Sale Sparks Controversy

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth canceled a meeting discussing the potential sale of F-35 jets to Turkey with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. The sale could upset Israel amid tensions over Iran and Turkey's NATO role. Trump's removal of sanctions on Ankara complicates U.S.-Turkey relations.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has canceled a planned meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intended to discuss the possible sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, according to an Israeli source.

Such a sale could provoke strong reactions from Israeli officials, who see Turkey's military ambitions as a threat to the balance of power in the Middle East. President Donald Trump announced the end of a memorandum of understanding with Iran, adding further complexity to the geopolitical landscape.

While Trump lifted sanctions on Turkey over its Russian missile purchase and expressed interest in selling F-35s, Congress and Israel are likely to push back against the move. Previous U.S. sanctions had been imposed after Turkey acquired the Russian S-400 defense system.