Hegseth to Raise F-35 Sale With Netanyahu Amid Regional Tensions

JERUSALEM-U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is scheduled to discuss the potential sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkiye with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, according to a source familiar with the matter, as Washington weighs restoring defense ties with Ankara despite strong Israeli objections.

The source, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the discussions, said Hegseth is also expected to meet Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz. Iran is expected to be among the issues discussed during those meetings.

The planned talks come after U.S. President Donald Trump indicated on Tuesday that his administration was prepared to remove sanctions imposed on Turkiye following its purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense system and was willing to consider supplying Ankara with F-35 stealth fighter aircraft.

The prospect of the sale has emerged as a significant point of disagreement between Washington and Israel. In an interview with CNN on Tuesday, Netanyahu said he opposed transferring the advanced fighter jets to Turkiye and had conveyed his concerns directly to Trump.

Netanyahu argued that such a move would alter the regional military balance, saying Turkiye has “aggressive aspirations.” His comments reflected longstanding Israeli concerns about preserving its military edge in the Middle East.

Relations between Israel and Turkiye have remained strained over regional conflicts and broader geopolitical disputes. Ankara, a NATO member, has been a vocal critic of Israeli military operations in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria. Turkish officials have also repeatedly accused Israel of seeking to undermine the U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement that was mediated by Pakistan.

Trump’s announcement marked a notable shift in U.S. policy toward Turkiye. Washington had previously imposed sanctions on a major Turkish defense company after Ankara acquired the Russian-made S-400 missile defense system in 2019, arguing that the purchase posed risks to NATO security and the F-35 program.

The S-400 acquisition also resulted in Turkiye’s removal from the multinational F-35 program, ending its participation despite being both a buyer and industrial partner in the project.

Although relations between Washington and Ankara have improved significantly since Trump returned to the White House in January 2025, the issue of F-35 sales remains unresolved.

Any transfer of the aircraft continues to face legal and political hurdles in the United States. According to the source material, the proposed sale is expected to encounter resistance in Congress in addition to opposition from Israel.

Hegseth’s meetings in Jerusalem are taking place as Trump attends a NATO summit in Turkiye, underscoring the administration’s effort to strengthen ties with the alliance member while managing concerns raised by one of Washington’s closest regional allies.

The discussions are also expected to cover Iran, reflecting its continuing prominence in security consultations between U.S. and Israeli officials, according to the source familiar with the meetings.

The potential restoration of defense cooperation with Turkiye represents one of the most consequential shifts in U.S. policy toward Ankara since bilateral relations deteriorated following the 2019 S-400 purchase. Whether Washington ultimately proceeds with an F-35 sale is likely to remain subject to both domestic political scrutiny and broader regional security considerations.