Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has urged the United States not to proceed with the sale of advanced weapons systems to Turkey, as US President Donald Trump travels to Turkey for the NATO summit.

Speaking to Fox News, Netanyahu launched a sharp attack on Ankara, describing Turkey as “a regime influenced by the Muslim Brotherhood”.

“I do not believe they should be given F-35s or engines for their fighter aircraft,” he said, referring to remarks made by Trump last month suggesting he could approve the sale of F110 engines for Turkish fighter jets and support Turkey’s return to the F-35 program.

‘The Balance of Power Will Be Disrupted’

Netanyahu argued that such a move could “upset the balance of power in the Middle East”, which, he said, is safeguarded by Israel’s air superiority as well as the US military presence in the region.

The Israeli Prime Minister described Turkey as “a major country”, but strongly criticised President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. He said Turkey is led by a leader who “openly threatens Israel with destruction” and “occupies half of Cyprus”.

‘Trump and I See Eye to Eye on Almost Everything’

Netanyahu also said that no date has yet been set for his visit to Washington or his meeting with Trump, while seeking to play down recent disagreements over the US-Iran memorandum of understanding.

“We see eye to eye on almost everything,” he said of his relationship with the US President. “We disagree from time to time, but we resolve those differences because we are allies,” he added, noting that both sides openly discuss the issues on which they differ.

“The President has his own way of expressing himself, and I have mine,” Netanyahu said. “We are allies. We are your model ally,” he stressed.

‘A Battle of Freedom Against Fanaticism’

Turning to Iran, Netanyahu said that the Islamic Republic “is not a friend of America” and must not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons or the means to deliver them.

“This is a battle of freedom against fanaticism,” he said.

Asked why the Iranian regime remains in power, Netanyahu replied that it has “several hundred thousand thugs who kill and murder their own citizens day and night”.

Netanyahu also said that Israel wants to see progress in the peace process with Lebanon, arguing that the weakening of Iran “has opened the way for more peace agreements”.

In closing, marking the 250th anniversary of the United States, Netanyahu described the US as “a tremendous force for good”, saying that “without America, there would be no democracy or freedom in the world”.

“God bless America,” he concluded.