Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has dismissed objections from Greece and Israel over the possible sale of US F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, insisting their concerns would not influence Ankara’s discussions with Washington.

Speaking at the closing news conference of the two-day NATO summit he hosted on Wednesday, Erdogan said opposition from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis “has no place in my world.”

The comments came after US President Donald Trump announced during a meeting with Erdogan on Tuesday that Washington would lift sanctions imposed on Turkey following Ankara’s 2019 purchase of Russian S-400 missile defence systems. The acquisition led to Turkey’s removal from the multinational F-35 fighter jet program.

“Netanyahu and his partners in crime [Mitsotakis] deliberately distort any criticism directed at them and seek to divert attention through a systematic propaganda effort.” Turkish officials

Although Trump later suggested on Wednesday that he had not yet reached a final decision on restoring Turkey’s access to the aircraft, Erdogan said he believed the US president remained supportive.

“Hopefully, when the F-35s are delivered to Turkey, the whole world will say America kept its promise,” Erdogan said.

Ankara rejects Greek and Israeli criticism

Earlier on Wednesday, Turkey’s foreign ministry rejected Greek and Israeli concerns over a potential F-35 sale, accusing Israeli officials of conducting a coordinated campaign of misinformation.

“The baseless allegations recently circulated by Israeli officials in a coordinated manner and with calculated timing are part of a disinformation campaign,” the ministry said.

“Netanyahu and his partners in crime [Mitsotakis] deliberately distort any criticism directed at them and seek to divert attention through a systematic propaganda effort.”

Netanyahu had publicly urged the United States on Monday not to provide Turkey with the advanced fighter aircraft, arguing the move would “upset the power balance” in the region.

Last month, Trump also indicated he wanted to improve defence ties with Ankara, saying he intended to make Erdogan “very happy” when asked about Turkey’s request for F110 fighter jet engines and renewed participation in the F-35 program.

Analysts say Turkey is seeking the engines to support its domestically developed KAAN stealth fighter, part of Ankara’s ambition to join the small group of countries capable of producing fifth-generation combat aircraft alongside the United States, China and Russia.

Turkey’s foreign ministry also accused Israel of using the dispute to divert international attention from the war in Gaza.

Israel’s objections, it said, could not “conceal the Netanyahu government’s genocide in Gaza, its policies of occupation and annexation, and its destabilising actions in the region.”

Erdogan has been one of the strongest international supporters of Hamas, which governs Gaza. The group’s October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel triggered the ongoing war.

The Turkish foreign ministry nevertheless said Ankara remained committed to regional stability.

“With this understanding, we once again call on Israel to pursue a constructive and peaceful policy.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis have criticised the re-entry of Turkey into the multinational F-35 fighter jet program. Photo: AAP/ Image /MENAHEM KAHANA

Netanyahu defended Israel’s position during an interview with Fox News on Monday.

“I don’t think (Turkey) should be given F-35s or the engines for their fighter jets, because that’ll upset the power balance in the Middle East, which is ultimately guaranteed by Israeli air superiority and also by, I think, by America’s posture in the Middle East.”

Trump praises both leaders

Despite the sharp exchanges between Ankara and Jerusalem, Trump spoke warmly of both leaders while acknowledging their longstanding tensions.

Speaking to reporters during the NATO summit, Trump described Erdogan as “terrific” and claimed he had personally persuaded the Turkish leader not to become involved in the recent conflict between Israel and Iran.

“I like Erdogan,” Trump said.

“You know, he could have gone into the [Iran] war.”

Trump said he had reminded Netanyahu — whom he also described as “a terrific wartime prime minister” — that Erdogan had stayed out of the conflict.

“Bibi said real things yesterday about Turkey and Erdogan,” Trump said, using Netanyahu’s nickname.

“And I said, you know, I spoke to [Netanyahu]. I said [Erdogan] could have gone into the war because he doesn’t like Israel much, and he doesn’t like Bibi much, and he didn’t go because of me.”

Trump also highlighted Turkey’s military strength and its interest in acquiring the F-35.

“Turkey is a military power, [with] millions of soldiers. Turkey is very strong. They have a lot of our best equipment. They’re trying to get the F-35.”

“But [Erdogan] didn’t go in” to the Iran war, Trump added, claiming he had convinced the Turkish president to remain on the sidelines.

Turkey, however, gave no public indication during the conflict that it intended to join Iran’s side. During the fighting, Turkish territory was also in the path of Iranian missiles intercepted by NATO air defence systems.