The recent conflict between Iran and Israel presents a critical opening for renewed peace efforts in the Middle East, according to Tom Barrack, the U.S. special envoy for Syria.
Tom Barrack © MEST
The recent conflict between Iran and Israel presents a critical opening for renewed peace efforts in the Middle East, according to Tom Barrack, the U.S. special envoy for Syria.
Speaking on Sunday, Barrack stressed the importance of establishing peace agreements between Israel, Syria, and Lebanon, describing the current moment as a rare diplomatic opportunity.
“President al-Sharaa has indicated he does not hate Israel and wants peace along that border,” Barrack said. “I believe the same is possible with Lebanon. An agreement with Israel is necessary.”
The envoy called the aftermath of the Iran–Israel war a chance to reset regional dynamics.
“What just happened between Israel and Iran is a moment for all of us to say, ‘Pause! Let’s build a new path,’” he said, adding that Türkiye plays a key role in shaping this new regional order.
Barrack also addressed ongoing tensions between Turkey and the United States, particularly over Ankara’s removal from the F-35 fighter jet program and the U.S. sanctions imposed on Turkey. He expressed optimism about resolving these disputes.
“I’m confident we will have an opportunity to find a solution by the end of the year,” he said, signaling hope for a thaw in bilateral defense and economic relations.
The remarks reflect growing momentum for both regional reconciliation and diplomatic resets, as the fallout from the Iran–Israel conflict prompts a reevaluation of alliances and priorities in the Middle East.
A Lebanese official denied on Thursday a Reuters report that Beirut had agreed with Israel to a shortlist of countries that could send troops to Lebanon to verify the disarmament of Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, and said it was following up on the issue with Washington.
Israel won't withdraw from southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed, the defence minister said on Thursday, qualifying remarks he made a day earlier that had suggested Israeli forces would occupy the territory indefinitely and drew U.S. criticism.
Israeli troops clashed with Jewish settlers on Wednesday while trying to disperse them from a West Bank outpost they set up directly in front of Palestinian homes, and later withdrew from the area after failing to clear the settlers, witnesses said.
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