Israel Reportedly Thwarted Turkish F-35 Deal by Pressuring UAE

A Turkish news outlet, Haber 7, reported that Israel actively lobbied the United Arab Emirates to prevent it from purchasing Russian S-400 air defense systems from Turkey. This alleged Israeli intervention aimed to block the lifting of U.S. sanctions on Ankara and its potential return to the F-35 fighter jet program.

According to the report, Turkey and Russia had reached understandings regarding the transfer of the S-400 systems, but the deal with the UAE stalled due to Israeli pressure. Israel reportedly sought to prevent the removal of American sanctions and to keep Turkey out of the F-35 program.

The S-400 systems have been a long-standing point of contention between Turkey and the United States, leading to U.S. sanctions on Turkey's defense industry and its expulsion from the F-35 program. Turkey has been seeking to resolve this issue by transferring the systems, which would pave the way for sanctions relief and potential re-entry into the F-35 program.

U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, Jeff Flake, stated that discussions regarding sanctions relief and the removal of the S-400 systems from Turkey are ongoing, suggesting no final resolution has been reached. Previous reports in July indicated a sale of the S-400 systems to the UAE, but the deal has not been finalized.

Haber 7 claims Israel has successfully persuaded the UAE to delay a final decision on the purchase. However, Ankara has reportedly devised a new strategy to overcome this obstacle, with efforts underway to reach a resolution. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and U.S. President Donald Trump had previously discussed the S-400 issue and sanctions relief.