The U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged during a hearing before the House Foreign Affairs Committee that American legislation obliges the U.S. government to keep Turkey out of the F-35 program.

Rubio was questioned by Democratic congresswoman Dina Titus regarding statements made by the U.S. ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, about a possible reinstatement of the neighboring country into the F-35 program.

In his response, the head of U.S. diplomacy acknowledged that Ankara still retains the Russian S-400 missile system. Given this, he explained that under the relevant legislation the U.S. government does not have the option to consider reinstatement.

Specifically, the top U.S. diplomat stated in response to the congresswoman: “Turkey was a member of the program but that stopped when it proceeded with the purchase of the S-400 from the Russians. As you know, this is regulated by law. At this time we do not have that option, because the matter is governed by legislative provisions, both those included in the U.S. defense budget bill (NDAA) and other provisions of U.S. law (CAATSA sanctions).”