Tom Barrack: Peace agreements with Israel are essential after the war with Iran for Syria and Lebanon
US envoy to Syria Tom Barrack told Turkish official Anadolu news agency on Sunday that the war between Iran and Israel is paving the way for a “new path” in the Middle East.
“What just happened between Israel and Iran is an opportunity for all of us to say: Stop, let’s forge a new path,” Barak said, noting that Türkiye “is a key element in this new path”.
Barrack, who also serves as the US ambassador to Türkiye, said that a ceasefire in Gaza would come into effect soon.
“The Middle East is ready for a new dialogue… People are tired of the same old refrain, and I think you’ll see everyone return to the Abraham Accords, especially as the situation in Gaza improves… This is the main challenge,” he said.
Barrack expressed his belief that the differences between Türkiye and the United States regarding the F-35 fighter jet program and the US sanctions imposed on Ankara can be resolved “before the end of the year”.
According to Barrack, US President Donald Trump and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, will instruct their foreign ministers to “find a solution”.
“I am convinced that we will find a solution by the end of the year,” he added.
In 2020, the United States imposed sanctions on Türkiye, its NATO ally, for purchasing the Russian S-400 air defense system.
Washington excluded Türkiye from the F-35 program, saying the S-400 system would allow Russia to gather information on the fighter jet’s capabilities.
In addition, the diplomat believed that after the war between Iran and Israel, it became necessary to conclude peace agreements between Israel, Syria, and Lebanon.
He stressed that Syrian President Ahmed al Sharaa has made it clear that “he doesn’t hate Israel and that he wants peace on this border… I believe this will also happen with Lebanon… An agreement with Israel is essential”.
Barrack also said, “There were excellent relations between Türkiye and Israel… This could happen again… So, there will be discussions and dialogue… The same will happen between Syria and Israel, and between Lebanon and Israel”.
