Turkey's increasingly turbulent relationship with the United States lurched into uncharted waters following threats of "large sanctions" in a July 26 tweet from President Donald Trump over the continued detention of a North Carolina pastor in a Turkish prison. The US leader wrote, “The United States will impose large sanctions on Turkey for their long time detainment of Pastor Andrew Brunson, a great Christian, family man and wonderful human being. He is suffering greatly. This innocent man of faith should be released immediately!”

The salvo came after a telephone call between Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. A readout of the conversation was not available as Al-Monitor went to press.

It remains unclear how Turkey will respond to the president’s warning, the harshest ultimatum to Turkey in recent memory that sent the Turkish lira falling sharply against the dollar. But the tone set by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in a tweeted initial response was defiant: “No one dictates Turkey. We will never tolerate threats from anybody. Rule of law is for everyone; no exception."

Erdogan, who seemed to have struck up a cordial relationship with Trump, is on an official visit to South Africa and had not commented as Al-Monitor went to press. Until now, the Turkish official narrative was that Trump, who recognized Turkey's value, was batting for Erdogan while his misguided underlings were doing the opposite. This can no longer fly.