Israel Reportedly Thwarted Turkish F-35 Deal by Influencing 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. The U.S. had previously imposed sanctions on Turkey's defense industry and removed it from the F-35 program following its acquisition of the Russian S-400s.

U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, Jeffry Flake, stated that discussions regarding the removal of sanctions and the disposition of the S-400 systems are ongoing, suggesting no final resolution has been reached. Haber 7 claims Israel has been successful in persuading the UAE to delay a final decision on the purchase.

Despite these obstacles, Turkey has reportedly developed a new approach to overcome the issue and is seeking a resolution. Previous reports in July indicated a sale of the S-400 systems to a Gulf nation, later identified as the UAE, but the deal's completion has not been confirmed. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and former U.S. President Donald Trump had previously discussed lifting sanctions on Turkey.