The United States has assured Israel that it will maintain its "qualitative advantage" despite Washington's plan to sell F-35 warplanes to Saudi Arabia, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Telegram channel Abu Ali Express on Thursday.
"They didn’t ask us before the sale of the F-35, but once it happened, I spoke with [Secretary of State Marco Rubio] and made sure of it. Mohammed Bin Salman did not receive from [US President Donald Trump] everything he wanted," Netanyahu said.
Israel is the only Middle East country operating the F-35, one of the most advanced warplanes ever built. US law guarantees Israel a "qualitative military edge" in the region.
Netanyahu added that he did not believe F-35 jets would be sold to Turkey.
“I understand that this possibility is very remote, if it even exists at all. Our position regarding the Saudi issue and the F-35, and Saudi Arabia is not a state of confrontation with us, would be that stance multiplied on steroids when it comes to selling F-35s to Turkey.”
Saudi Arabia wants to ensure a clear path for a two-state solution
Saudi Arabia does not officially recognize the state of Israel. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, said during a visit to Washington this week that the kingdom wanted official ties with Israel but also wanted to ensure a clear path for a two-state solution with Palestinian independence.
"I'm 'cautiously optimistic' about the chances of normalization with Saudi Arabia," Netanyahu told Abu Ali Express. "There won't be a Palestinian state."
US officials have said the Saudi jets will not have superior features found in Israeli F-35 fighters, which include advanced weapons systems and electronic warfare equipment.