Donald Trump is reported to be considering the sale of US-made F-35 stealth fighter jets to Turkey, a move that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly opposed. Netanyahu warns that supplying the advanced aircraft to Ankara would "destroy" the balance of power and undermine peace and stability in the Middle East. The potential deal matters because it pits a key US ally, Israel, against Washington's apparent willingness to strengthen Turkey's military capabilities.

Trump is in Turkey for a NATO summit, where Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is said to want approval for US military sales, including the F-35. Trump has not yet decided how to proceed, partly because of a 2018 law barring Turkey from owning both the jet and Russia's S-400 air defence system, over fears the Russian technology could gather intelligence on the aircraft's stealth capabilities. Netanyahu, speaking on Fox and CNN, argued Turkey has "aggressive aspirations" and pointed to rhetoric about restoring the Ottoman Empire.