Middle East Eye • April 17, 2026 13:47

US envoy Barrack plays down idea Turkey could be 'next Iran' for Israel

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Score: -0.26 • Center / Neutral

US Envoy Tom Barrack has downplayed escalating tensions between Turkey and Israel as just "rhetoric" and pushed for regional cooperation between the two countries in security and energy projects.

Speaking during a panel at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Barrack pushed back against comments from some officials in both countries that suggested they could come into conflict in the near future.

"I think Turkey is just not a country to be messed with," Barrack said.

Barrack said that both countries were seeing a distorted image of each other as a result of sensationalised media coverage that painted both as expansionist.

Read more: US envoy Barrack plays down idea Turkey could be 'next Iran' for Israel

US Special Envoy for Syria and US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack speaks during the 5th edition of the three-day Antalya Diplomacy Forum on 17 April 2026 (Handout / Antalya Diplomacy Forum / AFP)

Story Timeline

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US envoy Barrack plays down idea Turkey could be 'next Iran' for Israel

Different Perspectives

Aftenposten (NO)

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