Trump Offers F-35 Jets to Turkey as Iran Strikes Commercial Ships in Hormuz

A significant diplomatic shift occurred over the last 24 hours as President Trump offered Turkey the opportunity to rejoin the F-35 fighter jet program and receive relief from sanctions imposed in 2020. The move, intended to strengthen NATO ties during the summit in Ankara, drew immediate and sharp criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu warned that providing Turkey with advanced stealth technology could upset the Middle East's strategic balance and erode Israel's qualitative military edge. Simultaneously, the regional security situation worsened after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fired missiles at two commercial ships near the Strait of Hormuz. These strikes occurred early Tuesday, highlighting the persistent volatility of maritime trade routes despite ongoing back-channel communications between Washington and Tehran. The U.S. administration is currently working to reverse sanctions previously imposed on Turkey for its purchase of Russian air defense systems. The diplomatic standoff has further hardened as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared that final deal negotiations will not commence as long as the U.S. continues its policy of threats. This follows President Trump's recent ultimatum that Iran must come to a deal or face military action to 'finish the job.' The convergence of the F-35 offer to Turkey and the maritime attacks suggests a complex realignment of alliances as the U.S. tests regional cohesion.