Trump backs Türkiye F-35 option despite Israel objections

US President Donald Trump has signaled he has no concerns about a potential sale of F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye, despite objections from Israel, officials said Wednesday. The issue puts Washington between two security partners and could reopen a sensitive defense track with implications for regional air power.

Reaction pending. The market impact is likely to be slow unless the discussion advances toward a formal US notification, contract talks or congressional review.

Türkiye F-35 dispute tests alliances

The F-35 is one of the most politically sensitive US defense exports because approval can affect military balances well beyond the buyer. A sale to Türkiye would matter to Ankara’s long-term air force planning and to Israel’s assessment of qualitative military advantage in the region.

For Türkiye, a revived path to the aircraft would strengthen its case for deeper defense ties with Washington. For Israel, the concern is strategic: wider access to fifth-generation aircraft could alter assumptions behind regional deterrence and procurement planning.

For global markets, the immediate

channel is geopolitics rather than earnings.

If the dispute stays

rhetorical, defense shares may see little direct effect.

If the issue moves into a formal sales process, contractors tied

to advanced combat aircraft, avionics and maintenance could draw renewed investor attention.

The next test is whether officials clarify the sale path by July 15, 2026. If Washington keeps the door open, Ankara gains leverage in defense talks; if objections harden, the issue could become another constraint on US coordination with both Türkiye and Israel.