Report in Turkey: Israel Pressured UAE to Prevent Turkey's Return to F-35 Program

According to a report on Turkish news site Haber 7, Israel pressured the UAE not to purchase Russian-made S-400 air defense systems from Turkey to prevent the removal of American sanctions on Ankara and to block the opening of a path for its return to the F-35 fighter jet program.

The S-400 systems have been the focus of dispute between Ankara and Washington for years. The U.S. imposed sanctions on Turkish defense authorities following their purchase of the systems from Russia, and Turkey was removed from the F-35 program. Ankara is now attempting to dispose of the systems and bring about the removal of sanctions.

As early as July 10, reports emerged in Turkey that the S-400 systems were sold to a Gulf state, with subsequent reports indicating it was the UAE, but since then no reports have emerged of the deal being completed. According to Haber 7, the delay did not stem from an obstacle on Russia's side, which has already reached understandings with Ankara, but from an appeal by Israel to the leadership of the UAE. The report also claimed that Israel has succeeded so far in persuading the UAE to refrain from making a final decision on the matter.

U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barak said yesterday in New York that talks on removing sanctions and disposing of the S-400 systems from Turkish hands continue. U.S. President Trump said in July, during his visit to Ankara for the NATO summit: "The time has come to remove the sanctions."

According to the report, Ankara has already formulated a new formula in an attempt to overcome the obstacle, and Haber 7 estimated that through a formula that could be developed with American assistance it would be possible to overcome Israeli opposition. It is unclear whether the matter was raised in a meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.