According to a report by Times of Israel, on Sunday November 16, 2025, an Israeli official has outlined specific geographical restrictions that Jerusalem is demanding regarding any potential deployment of American F-35 stealth fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, citing the minimal flight time between the two countries as a key security concern.
The official’s statement, reported by Axios journalist Barak Ravid, emphasizes the strategic proximity between Saudi Arabia and Israel as a critical factor in evaluating any arms transfer. According to the source, the short distance means that F-35 aircraft could reach Israeli territory within minutes if launched from Saudi bases, creating potential security vulnerabilities that must be addressed.
Israel’s position requires that any F-35s supplied to Saudi Arabia not be stationed in the western portion of the kingdom, which lies closest to Israeli territory. This geographical limitation represents a concrete condition that Jerusalem is seeking to impose on any potential arms deal between Washington and Riyadh.
The restriction request comes as Israel has indicated it does not oppose the United States supplying advanced fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, provided such transfers are conditioned on normalization of relations between the two nations. Israeli sources involved in the matter, cited by Channel 12 and Axios, clarified that Jerusalem views potential Saudi acquisition of F-35s differently than similar requests from countries like Turkey.
According to Israeli officials, Jerusalem has communicated to the Trump administration that F-35 supplies to Saudi Arabia must be contingent on Saudi normalization with Israel. The sources characterized any arms transfer without diplomatic progress as counterproductive to regional stability.
Israel has historically expressed concern about advanced fighter jet sales to nearby countries, seeking to maintain its qualitative military edge in the region. Currently, Israel remains the only Middle Eastern nation operating F-35s, with forty-five aircraft in service and thirty additional units on order.
The issue has gained urgency following President Donald Trump’s Friday statement indicating consideration of a deal to supply Saudi Arabia with the jets.
The announcement came days before a planned visit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, during which economic and defense agreements are expected to be signed, though Riyadh has resisted joining the Abraham Accords without Palestinian statehood guarantees. View, More,
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