The US ambassador to Turkey sees “an opportunity” after the Israel-Iran war and believes that Ankara will play a central role
The United States Ambassador to Turkey and a special emissary for Syria, Tom Barrack. Credit: AA / Abaca / Abaca Press / Profimedia
The war between Iran and Israel opened the way to “a new road” for the Middle East, in which Turkey will play a key role, said Washington to Ankara on Sunday, according to AFP.
“What has just happened between Israel and Iran is an oporunity for all of us to say,” Pause. Let's create a new road “, Turkey is essential on this new road,” said American Ambassador Tom Barrack for the State Agency Anadolu.
“The Middle East is ready to have a new dialogue, people have been tired of the same old story,” he added.
Israel, said Barrack, is “in the process of redefining” and its regional neighbors must reach an agreement with it.
“President of Al-Sharaa (of Syria, no) and that he wants peace on that border. I think this will happen to Lebanon. It is a necessity to have an agreement with Israel,” said the head of the American diplomatic mission in Ankara.
He believes that the current situation in Syria is due “largely Turkey”, a key supporter of the rebels led by Islamists who have removed Bashar al-Assad from power and who now forms the Government of Damascus. In his opinion, Ankara could play a central role in changing the regional discourse.
US President Donald Trump and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, “I see this is an opportunity at a truly interesting moment in their life, in which they can change the dialogue,” he said.
“And the dialogue in the Middle East requires a strong leadership,” explained Tom Barrack.
“A armistice in Gaza in the near future”
He also said that he is convinced that there will soon be an armistice in the war in Gaza, which will also accelerate a change in regional thinking.
“We will see an armistice in Gaza in the near future, I think we have the right team for it,” added Washington emissary in Turkey.
“Everyone begins to return to the Avraam agreements, especially as the situation in Gaza dissipates,” Barrack continued, referring to the agreements concluded by Israel to normalize relations with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco, who have been intermediate by the US.
The American ambassador expressed confidence that Turkey and Israel, whose relationship was shattered by the war in Gaza, will resume their old links.
“It can happen again, it is not a religious problem, it is a misunderstanding that is of territorial desires. So a discussion, a dialogue … will take place,” concluded Tom Barrack.
