Israel Reportedly Pressures UAE Against Turkish S-400 Deal

Israel is reportedly exerting pressure on the United Arab Emirates to prevent a potential sale of Russian S-400 air defense systems from Turkey to the UAE. According to Turkish journalist Mehmet Acet, cited by Maariv, this Israeli intervention is the reason for the delay in negotiations. The deal, if it proceeds, could involve Turkey transferring the S-400 systems it acquired from Russia to the UAE.

Acet suggests that Israel's primary motivation is to prevent a scenario where such a deal could pave the way for Turkey's return to the U.S. F-35 fighter jet program. Turkey was previously excluded from the F-35 program and sanctioned by the U.S. under CAATSA after purchasing the S-400s, due to concerns about the Russian systems compromising the stealth technology of the F-35.

While Turkey had hoped to finalize an agreement with Russia and the UAE by July, the process has stalled. Acet claims that Russia is not the obstacle, but rather Israel's interference. There has been no official confirmation of Israel's involvement from either Israel or the UAE.

Discussions about transferring the S-400s to a third country have been ongoing for months, with Russia previously acknowledging talks and not ruling out such a possibility under certain conditions. U.S. officials, including Congressman Darrell Issa and the U.S. Ambassador to Ankara, Tom Buerkle, have indicated that the transfer of S-400s to the UAE could be part of a potential resolution to the ongoing dispute between the U.S. and Turkey regarding the Russian missile systems.

Turkey is reportedly exploring alternative solutions to the S-400 issue, hoping that resolving this matter will lead to the easing or lifting of U.S. sanctions and potentially allow its return to the F-35 program. The article also briefly mentions a separate report about Turkey expanding its presence in a strategically important region, potentially impacting Israeli interests.