Netanyahu warns Trump against F-35 deal with Türkiye

Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu have had a series of disagreements. (Reuters: Leah Millis/File)

US President Donald Trump says he will consider selling F-35 jet fighters to Türkiye, which would mean reversing a ban he implemented in 2009.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says such a move would "destroy the power balance in the Middle East".

Mr Trump is in the Turkish capital, Ankara, for a NATO summit.

Benjamin Netanyahu has appeared on American TV to urge Donald Trump not to sell jet fighters to Türkiye, adding to a growing list of tensions between the leaders.

The US president had earlier said he would consider reversing a US ban on selling F-35 jets to Türkiye. "Turkey has been in many ways much more loyal than other countries that we think would be loyal," Mr Trump said.

"Many people, including the people who are sitting here, think, 'Why wouldn't we do that?'" Mr Trump said. "It's certainly something we will consider."

Mr Erdoğan went further, saying the US had promised Türkiye five of the aircraft.

Several hours later, the Israeli prime minister appeared on CNN to warn against the move.

"It would destroy the power balance in the Middle East because Turkey, I think, has aggressive aspirations," Mr Netanyahu said.

Donald Trump held a meeting with Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the NATO summit in Ankara. (Reuters: Emrah Gurel)

"This is not a force for peace and stability … this kind of radical regime that, admittedly, smiles to America when it is necessary, or smiles to the president of the United States when it's necessary, when you're given that power, you're going to see aggression in its wake."

Mr Netanyahu said he had also spoken directly to Mr Trump several times about the issue.

"I think everyone understands that, notwithstanding the personal friendship that President Trump has with Erdoğan, it doesn't make Turkey a friendly state to the United States."

It follows a series of disputes between the two men, including over their strategy for the war on Iran and Israel's attacks in Lebanon, which have threatened to derail peace talks with Iran.

Last month, after Israeli bombings in Beirut, Mr Trump reportedly yelled at Mr Netanyahu over the phone: "You're f***ing crazy … I'm saving your ass. Everybody hates you now."

Mr Netanyahu is subject to an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes in Gaza, where a UN commission of inquiry has found Israel committed genocide.

Two recent Middle East deals seem at odds with each other, and show how the Trump administration is running di