Trump Backs Turkish F-35 Sales, Weighs Iran Talks

Speaking aboard Air Force One, US President Donald Trump firmly defended the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye despite pushback from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Praising the nation as a “tremendous ally” with a “very powerful military,” Trump asserted, “Nobody tells me what we should be selling.” The President also addressed shifting dynamics in the Middle East, claiming Tehran politely requested negotiations after taking a “very heavy blow” and noting high chances for a diplomatic agreement. Additionally, Trump vowed to question Russian President Vladimir Putin over allegations that Moscow provided Iran with satellite imagery of US military bases. Rounding out his wide-ranging remarks, he pressured the US Federal Reserve to slash interest rates to drive double-digit economic growth.