Recent comments by US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack suggesting a possible pathway for Ankara’s return to the F-35 fighter jet program have sparked strong reactions in Congress, with lawmakers questioning whether his remarks reflect official US policy toward Turkey, Israel and broader regional security issues.
According to a letter circulating for signatures in the House of Representatives and expected to be sent to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, lawmakers argue that Barrack’s statements undermine longstanding US diplomacy and raise serious concerns at a sensitive moment for regional stability.
The letter focuses in part on Barrack’s recent remarks supporting the possibility of Turkey rejoining the F-35 program despite US sanctions imposed after Ankara acquired the Russian-made S-400 missile defense system.
Under US law, Turkey would need to remove the S-400 systems, commit not to acquire similar Russian weapons in the future and demonstrate that it has not accepted additional Russian defense systems before reentry into the program could be considered. Lawmakers argue that Turkey has met none of those conditions.
Sources familiar with the letter said members of Congress are seeking clarification from the State Department on whether Barrack’s comments reflect official administration policy regarding Turkey, Israel and the F-35 program.
Lawmakers are also asking how the State Department interprets restrictions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, or CAATSA, in relation to any potential changes in defense cooperation with Turkey.
In addition, they are requesting clarification on what conditions, if any, Turkey would need to meet for its participation in the F-35 program to be reconsidered.
The letter also raises concerns over Barrack’s remarks about Israel and Hezbollah, asking whether the State Department agrees that comparisons between the two are inconsistent with US policy, particularly given Hezbollah’s history of attacks that have killed American citizens and service members.
Lawmakers further questioned how the State Department is ensuring that diplomatic engagement with Turkey and regional partners remains aligned with US law, NATO security requirements and broader regional stability goals.
Speaking last month at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey, Barrack described the ceasefire in Lebanon as “extremely fragile” and said all parties involved had demonstrated equally unreliable behavior. He also said two key actors – Hezbollah and Iran – were absent from the process, adding: “We need a path with Hezbollah, and the path has to be not killing Hezbollah.”