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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushed back against possible U.S. sales of F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye, arguing that Ankara should not receive the advanced aircraft because of its opposition to Israel's actions in Gaza.
Speaking on New York's "Sid & Friends in the Morning" on 77 WABC, Netanyahu said he had discussed the issue with U.S. President Donald Trump and made clear that he opposed providing the fighter jets to Türkiye.
"I don't think they deserve it. They shouldn't get anything under any circumstances," Netanyahu stated, adding: "I don't think any weapons should be sold to Erdogan. He makes his own weapons."
Netanyahu's remarks came as Washington weighs a possible reset in defense ties with Ankara, particularly after U.S. President Donald Trump's statements at the NATO Leaders Summit in Ankara last week.
During a meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Trump said that he would consider allowing Türkiye back into the F-35 program and lifting the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) sanctions imposed after Ankara acquired the Russian-made S-400 air defense system, a move that led to Türkiye's removal from the fighter jet program in 2019.
Reports later suggested Ankara could transfer the S-400s to an unnamed Gulf country as part of efforts to revive the F-35 deal, while the Kremlin confirmed it was in contact with Türkiye over the fate of the missile systems, calling the issue "extremely sensitive."
The U.S. Congress also cleared the proposed sale of more than $700 million worth of GE F110 engines for Türkiye's KAAN fighter jet after lawmakers let the review period expire without blocking the deal.
Netanyahu also accused Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and senior Turkish officials of making hostile statements about Israel, supporting Hamas, and pursuing so-called expansionist ambitions reminiscent of the Ottoman Empire.
The Israeli prime minister argued that Israel had staged "the greatest comeback in history" during the Gaza offensive, saying Iran and its regional allies had been significantly weakened.
"Hamas is a shadow of its former self," Netanyahu said, adding that Iran-backed Hezbollah's leadership had been decimated, Syria's Assad government had fallen and half of Yemen's Houthi leadership had been "knocked out."
"The Iran terror axis has been shattered," he said, while adding that parts of it remain.
Asked about reports suggesting tensions with Trump over the Iran war, Netanyahu dismissed the claims. "Friends don't agree on everything. Sometimes we disagree, and we talk about it openly," he said.
Netanyahu also paid tribute to the late U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, calling his death "a major loss" for Israel. He said he had spoken with Graham only days before his death about Iran and broader peace efforts, describing the senator as a steadfast supporter of Israel.
Netanyahu is expected to travel to the U.S. this weekend to attend Graham's funeral, according to Israeli media. Reports also said his office is trying to arrange a meeting with Trump, with discussions expected to focus on Iran, Gaza and recent U.S. pressure on Israel over its presence in Syria and Lebanon.
The prime minister also brushed aside New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's earlier remarks that he would be arrested if he visited the city.
"I'm not worried about that," Netanyahu said, before claiming Mamdani was aligned with "the terror axis" and "secretly hates America."
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