Trump says US will sell advanced F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia

By Jacob Magid

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17 November 2025, 10:29 pm

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Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief

US Air Force fighter aircraft F-35 performs aerobatic maneuvers on the second day of the Aero India 2025, a biennial event, at Yelahanka air base in Bengaluru, India, February 11, 2025. (AP/ Aijaz Rahi)

US President Donald Trump confirms that Washington will be selling F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, whose Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will be visiting the White House tomorrow.

A reporter in the Oval Office asks about a report on the possibility and Trump confirms that the US will be moving ahead with the sale, claiming Riyadh is pleased with Washington for the latter’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear program in June.

Israel reportedly was hoping that the US would condition the sale on Saudi Arabia agreeing to join the Abraham Accords.

Riyadh has long conditioned such participation on Israel agreeing to establish a pathway to a future Palestinian state, which the current government vehemently opposes.

Trump is still expected to raise the issue with bin Salman tomorrow.