US Ambassador to Turkiye Tom Barrack said the relationship between the US and the Middle East needs to change from one of domination to one of support.
U.S. Ambassador to Turkiye and Special Presidential Envoy for Syria and Iraq said there is a need to change the U.S. relationship with Middle Eastern countries.
Tom Barrack says the US no longer seeks to dominate the region.
Although he won’t say whether the Iran war was a mistake, he acknowledges that the instability it caused had unintended consequences.
Barrack said President Donald Trump opposes what he calls “forever wars” and that ending the war with Iran would require major compromises. He said both sides would have to accept terms they didn’t like.
However, there are concerns that rising tensions could lead to miscalculations.
Barrack said there is a lack of trust between the U.S. and Iranian governments, which is hampering talks towards a deal.
He told Al Jazeera that countries in the region should not rely on the United States to resolve their problems and should look after themselves. He argued that the Trump administration has not abandoned the region, but is instead reconsidering its role.
Barrack acknowledged that America’s long involvement in the region shows that intervention and regime change do not work. He says it’s time to put down the guns and resolve conflicts through negotiation and mutual respect.
Published October 22, 2026
