U.S. President Donald Trump said that Turkey remained on the sidelines during the recent conflict with Iran at his personal request, despite what he described as Ankara’s potential motivation to support Tehran. Speaking during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House, Trump said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had been a “prime candidate” to enter the conflict, possibly on Iran’s side, citing strained relations between Turkey and Israel. However, Trump said he directly asked Erdogan not to get involved and that the Turkish leader complied. “Everything I’ve ever asked him for, he’s done,” Trump said, describing Erdogan as a friend. He also confirmed plans to attend an upcoming summit in Ankara at Erdogan’s invitation, signaling continued diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
Trump’s remarks suggest that behind-the-scenes communication between Washington and Ankara may have helped limit the scope of the conflict, which drew significant international attention. Turkey, a NATO member with complex regional ties, has at times balanced its relationships with both Western allies and regional powers such as Iran, making its potential involvement a point of concern during the war.
During the same meeting, Trump indicated a possible shift in U.S. policy toward Turkey regarding defense cooperation. When asked about providing fighter jets and jet engines, Trump said the United States would “probably do something” that would make Turkey “very happy.” His comments come amid ongoing discussions about Turkey’s potential reentry into the F-35 fighter jet program.
Vice President JD Vance confirmed that the administration is reviewing options for military sales to Turkey, including F-35 aircraft. The process is complicated by Turkey’s 2019 purchase of the Russian S-400 missile defense system, which triggered U.S. sanctions and its removal from the program. Vance said officials are working to determine whether conditions required under U.S. law could be met to allow such a sale to proceed. The discussion reflects a broader effort by the administration to reassess its strategic relationship with Turkey, particularly as regional tensions remain high. Defense cooperation between the two countries has been strained in recent years, but officials have indicated a willingness to revisit key issues.
Trump also used the meeting to express dissatisfaction with the level of support provided by NATO allies during the Iran conflict. While acknowledging that some European countries contributed, he said the overall level of participation fell short of expectations. “We’re disappointed with most of them,” Trump said, reiterating his longstanding criticism that NATO partners do not do enough to support U.S.-led operations. Rutte, however, defended the alliance, emphasizing that European countries played a significant logistical role. He pointed to actions such as Romania temporarily closing its airport to accommodate U.S. military operations and noted that thousands of aircraft operated from European bases during the conflict. Rutte argued that such support was essential for projecting U.S. power in the region and conducting sustained operations. “It would have been very difficult to do Iran without having Europe as a power projection platform,” he said, highlighting the importance of allied infrastructure and cooperation.
Trump also addressed an ongoing investigation into a deadly strike on a girls’ school in Minab, Iran, which occurred in the early stages of the conflict. The incident has drawn international scrutiny, though responsibility remains unclear. “I don’t know that they’re ever going to solve that problem in terms of whose fault it was,” Trump said, noting the chaotic conditions during the fighting, with multiple missile systems in use. He added that he did not believe the strike was carried out by U.S. forces and said he had not yet reviewed the final investigative report.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the matter is being taken “very seriously,” though he declined to provide further details as the investigation continues. Trump’s remarks highlight both the complexity of the recent conflict and the broader geopolitical challenges facing the United States, including managing alliances, navigating regional rivalries, and maintaining military partnerships in a rapidly evolving security environment.
Biblical Connections: Turkey is one of the nations listed in Ezekiel 38-39 as an ally of Iran that invades Israel. That President Trump understands that Turkey is very close to Iran while still considering giving them access to new equipment is somewhat troubling.
PRAY: Pray that President Trump will change his mind and not allow a potential ally of Iran and enemy of Israel access to high-tech equipment.