09.07.2026 23:50
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cannot get U.S. President Donald Trump's positive statements regarding Turkey's access to F-35 fighter jets out of his mind. Reacting indirectly to Trump without naming him, Netanyahu said, 'We will maintain our military aerial superiority in the Middle East.'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a graduation ceremony of the Israeli army, assessed the ongoing occupation in southern Lebanon and the tension with Iran.
IMPLICIT REACTION TO TRUMP'S DECISION ON TURKEY'S ACCESS TO F-35S
In his speech, without directly naming anyone, Netanyahu implicitly reacted to US President Donald Trump's positive remarks about Turkey's access to F-35 fighter jets, saying, "Preserving Israel's air superiority is a cornerstone of our national security doctrine."
Arguing that geopolitical balances in the Middle East are rapidly changing, Netanyahu stated, "The war is not over yet. Alongside old challenges, new ones continue to emerge. Old axes are collapsing and new ones are being born. We are prepared for every scenario. We know we must always remain stronger than our enemies."
MESSAGE THAT THE OCCUPATION IN SOUTHERN LEBANON WILL CONTINUE
Referring to the occupation in southern Lebanon, Netanyahu said, "We will continue to stay in the security zone in southern Lebanon as long as necessary."
Netanyahu added that since Israeli helicopters launched attacks on southern Lebanon, they have evacuated 3,500 Israeli soldiers.
Meanwhile, claiming that they dealt serious blows to the Iranian government with the US in the war they initiated on February 28, Netanyahu stated, "Our policy is clear. Whether there is an agreement or not, Iran will not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons."
NETANYAHU GOVERNMENT'S DISCOMFORT WITH TURKEY AND F-35S
Following signals from US President Trump that Turkey could return to the F-35 program, Israeli politicians, led by Netanyahu, expressed their opposition.
Before and during the NATO summit in Ankara, Netanyahu gave interviews to the US media, calling for Turkey not to be allowed access to F-35s.