'Very disappointed with Nato': Trump says Iran war tested allies' support; signals openness to F-35 sale to Turkey

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday voiced disappointment with the response of Nato allies to Washington's recent military campaign against Iran, saying the conflict had served as a test of the alliance's willingness to support the US in times of crisis.

Speaking alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after arriving in Ankara for the Nato summit, Trump questioned whether European allies would offer the same level of support to the US that Washington has historically provided to them.

"I was very disappointed with Nato," AFP quoted Trump as telling journalists.

"We didn't need any help at all, and in a way, I was testing people, I was testing to see whether or not they'd be there, because I've long said that we helped them, but I'm not sure that they'd be there for us," he added.

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Trump also indicated that his administration is weighing a possible sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, despite a congressional ban that currently prevents Ankara from acquiring the advanced stealth aircraft.

The US president praised Turkey as a reliable ally and suggested it had shown greater loyalty than some countries that already operate the fighter jet.

“We have a better relationship with Turkey, and Turkey has been in many ways much more loyal than other countries that we think would be loyal,” CNN quoted Trump as saying.

He added that many believe Turkey should be allowed to purchase the F-35 despite its acquisition of Russia's S-400 air defence system, a move that led to Ankara's removal from the multinational fighter jet programme.

Trump said the potential sale remains under consideration.

“It's a great plane, it's the best, currently the best plane by far, and certainly something we will consider,” he said.

His remarks came after CNN reported, citing US officials, that Trump is expected to signal this week his willingness to resume F-35 sales to Turkey, potentially reversing restrictions imposed during his first term that were later codified into US law.

It remains unclear how the administration would navigate the congressional prohibition on such sales.

On the war in Ukraine, Trump said he remains optimistic about the prospects for a negotiated settlement following separate conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"I think they both want to make a deal," Trump said after arriving in Ankara.

The comments come as Nato leaders gather in Turkey amid growing concerns over European security, the war in Ukraine, tensions in West Asia and the future direction of the transatlantic alliance.

With inputs from agencies