United States evaluates potential resumption of F-35 aircraft sales to Turkey

President Donald Trump has expressed an intention to facilitate the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey. Reports from U.S. correspondent Michalis Ignatiou suggest the administration is exploring legal avenues to bypass existing legislative restrictions. Current U.S. law mandates that Turkey must remove its Russian-made S-400 missile systems to regain access to the F-35 program. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reportedly maintained the S-400 systems while simultaneously seeking the acquisition of American aircraft. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly informed his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, that the removal of the S-400 remains a prerequisite for any arms agreement. The potential deal faces significant scrutiny within the U.S. Congress, where legislative hurdles and potential opposition from regional allies like Israel remain relevant factors.