Barrack (AP)
A senior U.S. envoy said Friday that the United States could launch military strikes against Iran as early as this weekend, but President Donald Trump later said he knew nothing about such plans.
“Could there be a strike this weekend? Absolutely,” U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack told online commentator Mario Nawfal, according to The Times of Israel.
Barrack, who also serves as Trump’s special envoy to Syria and Iraq, said the administration remains open to a diplomatic agreement with Tehran but warned that continued Iranian threats could bring military consequences.
“The president 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,” Barrack said.
Asked later Friday about Barrack’s remarks, Trump appeared to cast doubt on the prospect of an imminent attack.
“That’s my ambassador to Turkey. He’s a pretty powerful man, I guess,” Trump told reporters in Florida.
“If that’s the case, I don’t know anything about it,” he added.
Barrack’s comments came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, with Trump threatening renewed military action if Iran refuses to reach an agreement addressing its nuclear program and regional security concerns.
Trump previously indicated that additional U.S. strikes would not occur before the Nov. 3 midterm elections, although he has since suggested military action remains an option.
Speaking to reporters earlier Friday, Trump said Washington could move quickly against Iran but questioned whether immediate action was necessary.
“We could end it very quickly, but … the question is, Do we want to finish it off or do we want to let it wither,” Trump said, according to The Times of Israel.
Barrack emphasized that the administration is not seeking to overthrow Iran’s government, distancing Washington’s position from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s calls for regime change.
“The consequence won’t be regime change,” Barrack said, warning that Iranian threats against American allies in the Persian Gulf would carry consequences.
“The United States — the president of the United States — has said he’s not interested in regime change,” he added.
Netanyahu, who faces Israeli elections Tuesday, has repeatedly called for toppling Iran’s leadership following two major bombing campaigns against the Islamic Republic since last year.
Barrack said negotiations could address sanctions relief, frozen Iranian assets, nuclear enrichment, and an end to military hostilities.
His remarks highlighted uncertainty surrounding Washington’s next move, particularly because Barrack has no direct role in shaping U.S. policy toward Iran.
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