Trump Announces Lifting of Turkey Sanctions, Plans Decision on F-35 Fighter Jet Sales at NATO Summit

During a bilateral meeting at the NATO summit in Ankara on July 7, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to lift CAATSA sanctions on Turkey and decide on resuming F-35 fighter jet sales. The potential reversal faces significant hurdles, including a 2020 congressional ban tied to Turkey's possession of Russian S-400 missile systems. Bipartisan U.S. lawmakers and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have strongly opposed the move, warning it could upset the Middle East power balance, while Turkish President Erdogan remains hopeful for a favorable decision.

F-35 sales to Turkey

• ▪Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated on July 7, 2026, that Turkey had previously been promised five F-35 fighter jets
• ▪The Trump administration has approved the sale of F110 fighter jet engines to Turkey
• ▪U.S. President Donald Trump announced on July 7, 2026, that he will make a decision regarding the potential sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey

Turkey sanctions removal

• ▪The United States concluded a lawsuit against Halkbank, one of Turkey's largest banks, regarding the subversion of U.S. sanctions against Iran
• ▪The United States previously imposed Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act sanctions on Turkey, targeting Turkey's Presidency of Defence Industries
• ▪U.S. President Donald Trump announced on July 7, 2026, that the United States will lift sanctions imposed on Turkey

Turkey S-400 Russian missile system

• ▪Under the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, the U.S. Congress blocked any transfer of F-35 jets to Turkey while Turkey possesses Russian military equipment
• ▪The United States removed Turkey from the F-35 fighter jet program in response to Turkey's acquisition of Russian S-400 air defense systems

Congressional opposition to F-35 sale

• ▪U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham stated on July 7, 2026, that there might be pushback in Congress regarding the F-35 sales, but a solution could be found
• ▪A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers wrote to President Donald Trump on July 2, 2026, expressing deep concern over selling F-35s to Turkey

Israeli opposition to F-35 sale

• ▪Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposed selling F-35s to Turkey, stating it would upset the Middle East power balance guaranteed by Israeli air superiority
• ▪Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu characterized the Turkish government as a regime governed by a man who openly calls for the annihilation of Israel

U.S.-Turkey bilateral relations

• ▪U.S. President Donald Trump met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on July 7, 2026, on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara
• ▪U.S. President Donald Trump stated on July 7, 2026, that the relationship between the United States and Turkey is better than it has ever been