Türkiye key to stability in Middle East, says US envoy Signalling the reopening of F-35 talks

U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye and Special Envoy for Syria, Thomas Barrack, has said he considers Türkiye the key actor in the Middle East for stability amid ongoing conflicts.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency on June 29 as he visited the western city of Izmir, Barrack called for “new dialogue” in the region, Caliber.Az reports.

Barrack’s remarks come amid a brief but tense conflict between Israel and Iran after Israel’s attacks on Iran earlier this month.

“Israel needs to be redefined. It’s currently going through that process,” Barrack said. “What is happening between Israel and Iran is a signal for all of us that the time is up, it’s time to carve a new path. And the key to that path is Türkiye.”

Barrack underlined the personal relationship between U.S. President Donald Trump and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, adding that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan share a similar rapport.

He pointed to the two phone calls between Trump and Erdoğan as pivotal in building this trust.

Barrack stressed that the U.S. has always viewed Türkiye as a vital NATO ally, but argued that the country hasn’t always been given the recognition it deserves as a major regional actor.

“The chaos in the Middle East has been perpetuated, in large part, by constant Western interventions,” he said. “But Trump and Erdoğan see this as an opportunity to shift the dialogue and that takes bold leadership.”

“I believe Türkiye is at the center of all this, as we’ve seen in Syria,” he added, noting Türkiye’s crucial role in regional developments.

Asked whether there is progress in reversing the U.S. sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) and restoring Türkiye’s participation in the F-35 fighter jet program, Barrack responded, “Absolutely yes.”

He emphasised that Türkiye remains a crucial partner for NATO, recalling that many parts of the F-35 are manufactured in Türkiye. He said both Trump and Erdoğan, along with Rubio and Fidan, are aligned on finding a solution.

“I believe by the end of this year, there’s a real chance for a resolution,” Barrack said, suggesting that Congress is prepared to look at the issue with fresh eyes.

“For the first time, the U.S. and Türkiye are not just defense partners but have a shared commitment to move from defense to breakthroughs, in diplomacy, security and cooperation,” he said.

Barrack also praised Türkiye’s military and defence capability, saying: “Türkiye has the second-largest army in NATO. It possesses air defense, hard power, and all the key elements of security — but more importantly, it has an extraordinary, hardworking population that understands the world,” Barrack said.  

He concluded, “The key to solving the regional crisis runs through Türkiye.”

By Khagan Isayev