United States President Donald Trump is reportedly evaluating the possibility of lifting existing sanctions to allow the sale of advanced fighter jets to Turkey, including both the F-16 and the more sophisticated F-35 aircraft. According to a report by Fox News Digital, the Trump administration is actively exploring legal avenues to enable such a deal without violating the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).

The CAATSA sanctions were initially imposed due to Turkey’s defense transactions with Russia, particularly its acquisition of the S-400 missile defense system. These sanctions have since restricted military trade and cooperation between the U.S. and Turkey. However, with geopolitical dynamics shifting, the Trump administration is reassessing its stance and seeking ways to restore defense cooperation with the NATO ally.

This renewed interest in military sales was reportedly catalyzed by a recent high-level conversation between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Trump. During the call, Erdogan expressed his desire to strengthen bilateral ties and emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation, especially in defense and security sectors.

The report suggests that while no final decision has been made, discussions are ongoing within the U.S. government to determine how such a transaction could proceed without triggering further legislative or diplomatic conflict. Selling F-16s—and potentially F-35s—to Turkey would mark a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy and military commerce, particularly in light of recent tensions within NATO and evolving U.S.-Turkey relations.

If carried out, the sale could serve as a strategic move to re-engage Ankara as a key partner in regional defense while simultaneously navigating the complex web of sanctions law and alliance politics. The coming weeks will likely reveal whether the administration moves forward with this plan and how both allies and critics respond to the proposed shift.