US stops F-35 fighter jet parts delivery to Turkey

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials say Washington has stopped delivery of F-35 fighter jet parts to Turkey in response to Ankara’s decision to move ahead with the purchase of a Russian surface-to-air missile system.

The U.S. has been warning Turkey for months that buying the Russian S-400 system would jeopardize its planned purchase of the advanced fighter aircraft. The halt in the delivery of parts and manuals is the first step toward ending the actual aircraft sale.

The officials spoke anonymously to discuss the decision before it was announced.

The U.S. move comes just days after Turkey’s foreign minister said his country was committed to a deal to buy the Russian system and was discussing delivery dates.

U.S. officials have said the Russian system would pose a threat to the F-35.