From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Abdullah’s White House visit coincides with payment deadline for Amman’s F-16 fighter jet purchase
Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
WASHINGTON — This week’s visit of Jordan’s King Abdullah to Washington coincides with a deadline Amman is facing on its latest payment for the purchase of F-16 fighter jets from the US, a US official reveals to The Times of Israel.
The deadline for the $110 million payment is on Wednesday, and failure to meet the deadline would require Jordan to pay a fine of that same amount.
Jordan is likely struggling to make the payment due to the Trump administration’s freeze on almost all foreign aid, the US official says, speculating that Abdullah would likely raise the issue during his meetings in Washington in order to request an extension.
Jordan’s Embassy in Washington and the Pentagon both decline requests to comment.
