Trump and Erdoğan Discuss F-35 Jets, Iran, Gaza, and NATO at Istanbul Summit

The NATO summit in Istanbul brought renewed attention to U.S.-Türkiye relations as U.S. President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan addressed key issues ranging from defense cooperation to regional security.

U.S.-Türkiye Relations Remain Strong

During a joint press conference, President Trump described Türkiye as a reliable and loyal ally of the United States. He said relations between the two countries remain extremely strong and emphasized that many people question why Türkiye should not receive F-35 stealth fighter jets.

Trump stated that a final decision on the sale of the aircraft has not yet been made but indicated that a decision is expected soon.

F-35 Fighter Jet Decision Still Pending

Responding to questions about the F-35 program, Trump said the issue is still under consideration.

Key Points from Trump

The United States values its partnership with Türkiye.
Türkiye is viewed as a trusted NATO ally.
A decision on the possible sale of F-35 fighter jets will be announced after further consideration.

Trump also praised President Erdoğan, calling him a respected leader on the global stage and highlighting the significant growth of Türkiye's military capabilities under his leadership.

Erdoğan Expects Positive Progress

President Erdoğan said the F-35 issue is not new and has been discussed between the two countries on several occasions.

According to Erdoğan

The United States had previously promised to provide Türkiye with five F-35 fighter jets.
He expects positive progress on the matter during the NATO summit.
Both countries continue discussions on defense cooperation.

Türkiye's Role Between Iran and the United States

Speaking about tensions between Iran and the United States, Erdoğan said Ankara is making every possible effort to bring both sides to the negotiating table and reduce differences through dialogue.

He added that the NATO summit is also focusing on developments in the Middle East and the humanitarian situation in Gaza, expressing hope for constructive outcomes.

Trump Criticizes NATO Allies

President Trump once again criticized NATO, claiming that allied countries did not sufficiently support the United States during its actions against Iran.

He questioned why NATO members fail to stand by the U.S. during critical moments despite America's long-standing commitment to supporting its allies.

Trump also argued that the United States spends hundreds of billions of dollars on its allies but does not always receive the level of cooperation it expects.

Conclusion

The meeting between President Trump and President Erdoğan highlighted the importance of U.S.-Türkiye relations while bringing major regional issues into focus. Discussions covered the future of the F-35 fighter jet program, defense cooperation, efforts to ease tensions between Iran and the United States, the situation in Gaza, and the role of NATO. While no final decisions were announced, both leaders expressed optimism that further progress could emerge from the summit.