President Donald Trump on Monday brushed aside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's public objections to the United States potentially selling F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, declaring that no foreign leader dictates U.S. arms sales policy, The Times of Israel reported Monday.

"Nobody tells me what we should be selling," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One when asked about Netanyahu's opposition to the proposed sale.

Trump acknowledged the strained relationship between Turkey and Israel but emphasized his own ties with Ankara.

"Turkey's not a big fan of Israel, not a great fan of Bibi," Trump said, using Netanyahu's nickname. "But they've been great for me."

Trump's comments came as questions persist over whether Turkey could eventually reenter the F-35 program, according to the Times of Israel.

Earlier this month, Trump indicated he would approve the sale of the fifth-generation fighter aircraft to Turkey. The State Department informed Congress last week, however, that Ankara does not meet the requirements to purchase the aircraft, leaving the sale on hold.

Trump's remarks came ahead of a scheduled meeting with Netanyahu on Tuesday in which Iran is expected to be a central topic of discussion.

The president acknowledged that he and the Israeli prime minister have differences over how to handle Iran but said they remain largely in agreement.

"We have a little difference but [are] pretty close," Trump said, amid speculation that Netanyahu plans to urge the president against pursuing a diplomatic agreement with Iran.

Trump also defended his decision to delay military action against Iran over the weekend, saying negotiators had convinced him that diplomacy was making progress.

"They want to meet, and we're meeting. There's a chance we can make a deal," Trump said. "But without what we did, they wouldn't even be talking to us."