U.S. envoy says strike on Iran could come this weekend
U.S. envoy Tom Barrack said a strike on Iran could happen this weekend, amid rising threats from Washington and Israel.
Barrack is the U.S. ambassador to Turkey and envoy on Syria, but has no direct role on Iran.
President Donald Trump said he knew nothing about a possible strike, even as he has signalled openness to renewed military action.
The comments come after a long deadlock in diplomacy and two major bombing campaigns against Iran since last year.
Barrack said the U.S. is not seeking to topple Iran’s government, despite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s calls to do so.
He said Washington would seek a deal, but warned there could be consequences if Iran continued to threaten the U.S., its allies and the Gulf.
Whether the U.S. will strike this weekend remains unclear, and Barrack questioned what would follow any attempt to change Iran’s government.
U.S. envoy Tom Barrack said Washington could strike Iran as soon as this weekend.
President Donald Trump later said he did not know about such a plan.
Barrack said any consequence for Iran would not involve regime change.
Trump has signalled openness to renewed strikes while also saying the United States is open to a deal.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly vowed to topple Iran’s government, according to the reports.
Who
Tom Barrack, the U.S. ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria, said a strike was possible. President Donald Trump said he did not know about it.
What
The United States could strike Iran as soon as this weekend. Barrack said the goal would not be regime change.
When
Barrack made the statement on Friday, October 23, 2026. He said a strike could come this weekend.
Where
Barrack spoke in an interview while visiting the Gulf. Trump responded to reporters in Florida.
Why
Barrack said there would be consequences if Iran continued threatening the world, U.S. allies and the Gulf. He also said the United States remained open to a deal.
Tom Barrack
Benjamin Netanyahu
Regime change
Tom Barrack
Barrack said a U.S. strike would not aim to topple Iran’s government.
Benjamin Netanyahu
Netanyahu has repeatedly vowed to topple Iran’s government, according to the reports.
Tom Barrack said a U.S. strike on Iran could happen as soon as that weekend.
Trump told reporters he did not know about the possibility of a strike.
Possible strike
As soon as the weekend of October 24–25, 2026
U.S. envoy
Tom Barrack, ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria
Tom BarrackU.S. ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria
Could there be a strike this weekend? Absolutely
via The Hindu
If you keep threatening the world, our allies, the Gulf, there will be a consequence. The consequence won't be regime change
via Daily Sabah
The problem with regime change always is, what’s the day-two scenario?
via Times of Israel
D
Donald TrumpU.S. president
If that's the case, I don't know anything about it
via The Hindu
Posts on X
🇺🇸🇮🇷 BREAKING: AMB. TOM BARRACK WARNS U.S. STRIKE COULD HAPPEN THIS WEEKEND
I asked Trump's Special Envoy, Tom Barrack: “Could there be a strike on this this weekend?
His answer was direct: "Absolutely.”
Amb. Barrack laid out exactly where things stand with Iran right now.
‼️Trump when asked about Ambassador Barrack statement on a strike against Iran this weekend;
That was my Ambassador to Turkey? He is a pretty powerful man I guess. If that is the case, I don’t know anything about it.
"Noch an diesem Wochenende" : US-Botschafter hält Angriff auf Iran für möglich
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براك يتوقع ضربة جديدة .. ترمب : لن نهاجم إيران قبل انتخابات الكونغرس