US President Donald Trump on Monday (local time) dismissed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's opposition to the possible sale of American F-35 fighter jets to Turkey. Trump made the remarks ahead of his scheduled meeting with Netanyahu at the White House on Tuesday. The meeting will mark their first in-person discussion since the conflict with Iran began on February 28, 2026. The leaders are expected to discuss the ongoing situation in the Middle East along with other regional issues.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump defended his position on the proposed fighter jet sale. He praised Turkey's relationship with him and made it clear that he would make decisions independently. Referring to the issue, Trump said, “Turkey has been a tremendous ally for me.” He also added, "Nobody tells me what we should be selling."

Trump's comments came after Netanyahu publicly opposed the possible sale of US-made F-35 fighter jets to Turkey. Earlier this month, the Israeli Prime Minister shared his views during an interview with CNN. He argued that providing advanced fighter aircraft to Turkey would not serve American interests. Netanyahu said the sale of America's F-35 fighter jets “doesn’t make Turkey a friendly state to the United States.”

Netanyahu also raised concerns about the impact such a move could have on the region. He warned that supplying F-35 fighter jets to Turkey would "destroy the power balance in the Middle East." His remarks reflected Israel's concerns over maintaining its military advantage in the region. The comments also highlighted the differences between the two leaders on the issue.

The debate over the proposed sale follows reports that Trump is considering reversing restrictions that his administration imposed during his first term. Those restrictions had prevented Turkey from acquiring the advanced fighter aircraft. The reports suggested that the US President is reviewing the earlier decision, although no final announcement has been made.

Trump and Netanyahu are set to meet at the White House on Tuesday as tensions remain high across the Middle East. The meeting comes at a significant time, with the region continuing to deal with the consequences of the conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States. The discussions are expected to focus mainly on the security situation and ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Relations between Trump and Netanyahu have appeared strained at several points since the conflict with Iran began. Despite those differences, both leaders have made efforts to reduce public disagreements and maintain close cooperation. Tuesday's meeting is expected to provide an opportunity for both sides to discuss their shared priorities and address areas where their views differ.

The conflict escalated on February 28 after joint US-Israeli strikes targeted Iran. The operation resulted in the death of Iran's then Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, along with several other senior Iranian officials. The strikes marked a major turning point in the crisis and sharply increased tensions across the region.

Iran responded by launching attacks on US and Israeli assets across the Middle East. It also tightened its control over the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important shipping routes. These developments raised concerns among several countries over regional security and the possible impact on global trade and stability.

The ongoing conflict is expected to dominate the agenda during Tuesday's meeting between Trump and Netanyahu. Both leaders are likely to review the current security situation and discuss possible steps to address the challenges facing the region. The talks will also cover broader diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions.

Apart from the conflict with Iran, Trump and Netanyahu are also expected to discuss the implementation of a US-sponsored framework agreement signed by Israel and Lebanon last month, according to an AFP report. The agreement is considered an important diplomatic development and both leaders are likely to review its progress during their discussions.

Tuesday's meeting will be the eighth between Trump and Netanyahu since Trump's return to office last year. It will also be their first face-to-face meeting since the conflict with Iran began. The discussions are expected to shape the next phase of US-Israel coordination on regional security, diplomacy and defence issues while both leaders continue to deal with the rapidly changing situation in the Middle East.