JERUSALEM: The United States could strike Iran as early as this weekend, a U.S. envoy said Friday, amid escalating rhetoric from Washington and Jerusalem.
In an interview with podcast host Mario Nawfal, Tom Barrack, the U.S. ambassador to Turkiye and a point man on Syria, emphasized that a strike was a real possibility. “Could there be a strike this weekend? Absolutely,” Barrack stated.
Barrack also described President Donald Trump’s stance, noting that Trump “is very clear. He’s open and available and accessible to a deal and we’ve been at the table for months and months and months.” The remarks were made during Barrack’s visit to the Gulf.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has recently pledged to overthrow Iran’s clerical regime, following two major bombing campaigns launched by Israel over the past year. Netanyahu faces elections on Tuesday.
Contradicting Netanyahu’s position, Barrack clarified that the United States is not seeking regime change in Iran. “If you keep threatening the world, our allies, the Gulf, there will be a consequence. The consequence won’t be regime change,” he said. “The United States — the president of the United States — has said he’s not interested in regime change,” Barrack added. He also raised concerns about the aftermath of any regime change, asking, “What’s the day-two scenario?”
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