Transformation in Washington-Ankara Relations; Trump Announces Lifting of Sanctions and F-35 Return

Donald Trump, the President of the United States, during a symbolic and significant meeting with Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, stated: "We know how great a country Turkey is. Today we will talk about trade, defense, Iran, and many other issues, and we will also look closely at the F-35 issue" [2]. These remarks, made on the sidelines of the NATO summit in July 2026, indicate an unprecedented warming of relations between Washington and Ankara after years of tension.

End of CAATSA Sanctions; A Step Toward Mutual Trust One of the most important achievements of this meeting was Trump's official announcement of the lifting of the "CAATSA" sanctions against Turkey's defense industry [1]. These sanctions, imposed in 2020 following the purchase of the S-400 missile system from Russia, had created a major obstacle in military cooperation between the two countries. Trump, noting that "we don't want to sanction our friends," emphasized that his administration is coordinating with Secretary of State Marco Rubio to finalize this decision [2]. Analysts believe this move could pave the way for the modernization of the Turkish military and strengthen NATO's eastern flank [3].

F-35 Fighter Jets and the Issue of Ankara's Loyalty The issue of Turkey's return to the F-35 stealth fighter program was the main focus of the talks. In remarks that surprised many observers, Trump called Turkey a "more loyal" ally than some other NATO countries [4]. He announced that Washington would seriously put the sale of these advanced fighters to Ankara on the agenda, although legal hurdles and opposition in the US Congress still exist. Erdogan also expressed optimism about this process, noting that Trump always keeps his promises and expects previous commitments regarding the delivery of the jets to be implemented [1].

Regional Security and Confrontation with Iran This meeting took place at a sensitive time when tensions between the United States and Iran have reached their peak. Following recent attacks on commercial ships in the Sea of Oman, US forces have launched strikes against Iranian targets [5]. In Ankara, while criticizing European allies such as Britain and France for not providing enough support for anti-Iranian operations, Trump praised Turkey's stance on this crisis [4]. Turkey, which has always acted as a diplomatic bridge, has also played the role of mediator in ceasefire talks and the exchange of messages between Washington and Tehran during this period [5].

Challenges and Future Outlook Despite the positive atmosphere of the Ankara meeting, serious challenges remain. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has explicitly expressed his opposition to the sale of F-35s to Turkey, calling it a threat to the balance of power in the region [4]. Additionally, some members of Congress still insist on the complete removal of S-400 systems from Turkish soil as a final precondition [2]. However, Trump's will to strengthen ties with Erdogan and focus on the $100 billion trade goal indicates Washington's new priorities in 2026.