Amid ongoing debates about the F-35, two sources speaking to the American news channel Fox suggested that President Donald Trump is contemplating restarting the sale of F-35 jets to Turkey and lifting certain sanctions.

According to the American media, President Donald Trump has shown a positive inclination towards resuming the sale of F-35 jets to Turkey after his discussion with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The news, based on two informed sources cited on Fox News, mentioned that Trump is considering the F-35 sale to Ankara. Trump is also contemplating lifting the sanctions against Turkey and restarting the sale of F-35 fighter jets after his meeting with President Erdoğan. The report noted Trump’s openness to sell F-35 jets to Turkey if both sides can reach an agreement that renders Turkey’s S-400s inoperable.

In order for these jets to be sold to Turkey, it was stated in the news that the United States would have to lift the sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). Trump instructed his team to explore how Turkey could avoid CAATSA sanctions. During a phone call on March 16 between President Erdoğan and President Trump, various bilateral and regional issues were extensively discussed.