Trump backs an F-35 sale

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US President Donald Trump has publicly backed a possible sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, brushing aside reported Israeli objections and describing Ankara as "a tremendous ally", according to Daily Sabah. The remarks put the White House on the side of a deal that Washington has resisted since Turkey acquired Russian air defence systems, and they mark the clearest signal so far that the long-standing block could be revisited. Nothing has been agreed or announced beyond Trump's comments: no terms, timeline or formal decision has been reported, and the Israeli opposition he dismissed is described in the reporting as reported rather than confirmed. What stands is a shift in political tone at the top of the US administration, with the practical questions of congressional approval, the Russian systems issue and Israeli concerns still unresolved.

Turkey was a partner in the US-led F-35 programme before its purchase of Russian air defence systems, after which Washington held a position against supplying the aircraft to Ankara, according to Daily Sabah's account of the dispute. The jets have since become a recurring point of friction between the two NATO members. Israel, which operates the F-35 in the region, is reported to oppose extending the aircraft to Turkey. Any reversal would require the US administration to unwind a policy that has stood for years, so statements of support from the president are a signal of intent rather than a completed decision.