Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan claimed in an Al Jazeera interview that Donald Trump has personally promised him ...

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan claimed in an Al Jazeera interview that Donald Trump has personally promised him F-35 fighter jets, and that he is now waiting for that promise to be delivered. Turkey was kicked out of the F-35 program in 2019 after purchasing Russia's S-400 air defense system. Washington's position at the time was that the S-400's presence on Turkish soil could compromise sensitive American stealth technology. At the recent NATO summit in Ankara, Trump said his administration was looking at lifting the CAATSA sanctions imposed on Turkey over the S-400 purchase, and left open the door to Turkey rejoining the program. But the return is far from guaranteed. There is significant resistance in the U.S. Congress, and American law still bars F-35 deliveries to Turkey as long as Ankara holds onto its Russian hardware. Erdogan used the wide-ranging interview to send signals in multiple directions. He described Egypt joining the so-called "Mecca Agreement", the mutual defense pact signed by Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, as "possible", saying the agreement remains open to new members. This comes despite reports of strong pushback from Riyadh against Egyptian inclusion. On the EU, Erdogan was sharp. He said Brussels does not appear willing to accept Turkey and added that membership is no longer a priority for Ankara. "Europe will be the loser," he said. He addressed nearly every open flashpoint in the Middle East. On the Strait of Hormuz, he said reopening the passage is one of Turkey's top priorities. On Gaza, he repeated that Turkey "cannot leave Gaza alone" and accused Israel of continuing the war while claiming Hamas is acting in good faith. On Lebanon, he said he raised Israeli strikes directly with Trump during the American president's recent visit to Turkey. On Syria, he revealed plans to visit the country and said Syrian Kurds will have "a share in peace and stability", a signal of the policy shift tied to Turkey's recent PKK dissolution law. Erdogan also described Turkey's relations with Sudan and Libya as solid. #Erdogan #Turkey #F35