Turkey reports delays in negotiations for return to F-35 program

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced on September 21, 2026, that diplomatic efforts to secure Turkey's reentry into the F-35 fighter jet program are taking longer than initially anticipated. Speaking at an event in New York titled 'Turkey-U.S. Relations on the Eve of the Centennial,' organized by the Turkish Presidency’s Directorate of Communications, Fidan confirmed that bilateral talks remain ongoing to resolve obstacles, including U.S. sanctions imposed under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).

The negotiations follow an agreement between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. President Donald Trump to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. Despite high-level political intent, Fidan noted that the practical implementation of removing these barriers is progressing at a slower pace than the two leaders expected. The minister characterized the Turkey-U.S. alliance as having a long-standing, time-tested value, emphasizing that the current goal is to transform this diplomatic dynamic into concrete cooperation for regional stability.

As Turkey approaches the second century of its diplomatic ties with the United States, Ankara remains committed to institutionalizing its partnership with Washington. While the timeline for lifting CAATSA sanctions and reintegrating into the F-35 program has been extended, officials continue to work toward reconciling the specific security and technical requirements set by the U.S. side.