Turkey eyes lifting U.S. CAATSA sanctions before U.S. midterms

ANKARA, March 3 (Reuters) - Turkish ‌Foreign Minister ​Hakan ​Fidan said work was underway with the United States to lift sanctions imposed on Ankara before the ‌U.S. midterm elections in November, but added Israel ⁠was opposed to the potential move.

In 2020, Washington imposed CAATSA sanctions on ‌fellow NATO member Turkey over ‌its acquisition of Russian S-400 systems. It also removed Ankara from the F-35 fighter jet programme, a move Turkey ​called unjust and illegal.

The sides are seeking a workaround to lift sanctions and allow Ankara to buy the ⁠jets. Little progress has been made even though U.S. President Donald Trump has good ​ties with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, raising hopes in Turkey that a solution can be found ​this year.

Asked during a Ramadan fast-breaking ‌dinner on Tuesday with members of Turkish media if Israel - which Turkey has criticised fiercely over ⁠its assault on Gaza - opposed the U.S. lifting the sanctions, Fidan said Israel did not want regional countries to obtain certain ⁠capabilities.

"That is the mode they are in now. Let's see, these battles ​will continue. Everyone will play the cards in their hands somehow," he said, according to a transcript of his comments on Wednesday.

"Work is ‌underway to obtain a result on CAATSA before the midterms. We have taken the political steps. ‌We'll see," Fidan added.

Fidan's comments come as the United States ⁠and Israel are at ‌war with Iran, Turkey's ​neighbour. Ankara has condemned the U.S. and Israeli offensive against Tehran.

(Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by Jonathan ‌Spicer )

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