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U.S. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, who receives support from the pro-Israel group American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), said in a social media post that Türkiye would not be able to receive F-35 fighter jets.
He repeated a message he said he had previously delivered to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Scott said Türkiye would not be able to rejoin the F-35 program and claimed Ankara would not be able to buy U.S.-made defense platforms.
His remarks came while quoting comments by U.S. Ambassador to Ankara and Special Representative for Syria Tom Barrack on Türkiye's removal from the F-35 program after it purchased the Russian S-400 air defense system.
In his post, Scott said Türkiye would not be able to obtain the F-35.
Quoting Barrack's remarks from the fifth Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Scott wrote, "Türkiye is a country that funds Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood, hates Israel, and loves Russia and Iran. Good luck buying F-35s, F-16s, and other American-made defense platforms."
"I told Erdogan in 2018, and I am saying it again: You will not get the F35," he added.
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Scott's statement came after Barrack addressed the issue during the fifth Antalya Diplomacy Forum.
Barrack referred to Türkiye's removal from the F-35 program following its acquisition of the Russian S-400 air defense system, remarks that Scott cited in his social media statement.
Defense Minister Yasar Guler told the Turkish Parliament in December that Türkiye was reassessing the F-35 fighter jet process in line with the country's interests and defense needs.
"The process regarding F-16 Block 70 aircraft procurement continues in a coordinated manner with our U.S. counterparts. The relevant process, including F-35, is being reassessed in line with our country's interests and defense needs," Guler said during his ministry's 2026 budget presentation to the General Assembly.
Guler said the procurement process for F-16 Block 70 aircraft was continuing in coordination with U.S. counterparts.
His remarks linked the ongoing F-16 process with the broader reassessment of the F-35 issue as part of Türkiye's defense planning and national interests.
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