US says Turkey still fails to meet legal requirements for F-35 transfer

The United States has reaffirmed that its policy on a possible transfer of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey remains unchanged, stating that Ankara has not yet met the legal conditions required under US law to rejoin the programme.

The position was outlined in a letter from the US State Department’s Office of Legislative Affairs to Democratic Congressman Wesley Bell, following his request for clarification on US-Turkey relations, CAATSA sanctions, the F-35 programme and Turkey’s ties to Hamas. The department said it was responding on behalf of President Donald Trump at the White House’s request.

According to the letter, any future transfer of F-35 aircraft to Turkey remains subject to Section 231 of the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) and Section 1245 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020.

The State Department said Turkey must first fully satisfy the legal requirements before any transfer can proceed. These include permanently relinquishing possession of the Russian-made S-400 air defence system and its associated equipment, providing assurances that it will not acquire the system again, and meeting all remaining certification requirements set out in US legislation.

The department stressed that those conditions have not yet been fulfilled.

It also stated that any resolution of the S-400 issue must be transparent, lawful and consistent with the national security interests of the United States.

The letter follows President Trump’s recent meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara. Washington said it would continue engaging with Turkey to resolve the S-400 dispute while also seeking to strengthen cooperation within NATO.

Addressing broader bilateral relations, the State Department said the US-Turkey partnership remains grounded in shared security interests and economic cooperation. However, it added that Washington would continue to hold Ankara accountable when its actions undermine US interests.

The letter also acknowledged ongoing US concerns over Turkey’s relationship with Hamas. At the same time, it noted that Ankara had played a role in advancing President Trump’s Gaza peace initiative by using its contacts with Hamas’ political leadership to encourage acceptance of the first phase of a ceasefire.

The statement is likely to reinforce congressional opposition to any move to return Turkey to the F-35 programme while the S-400 issue remains unresolved.

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