Global
Tom Barrack, the U.S. special envoy to Syria and Iraq, warned of a potential American strike against Iran during the upcoming weekend. In a statement during a Friday podcast, Barrack responded to a question about the possibility of an attack this week on Iran by saying, "Definitely." He added that the former U.S. president was very clear in his stance, having repeatedly opened the door for an agreement with Tehran, but Iran used the Strait of Hormuz as a bargaining chip. Barrack noted that the U.S. administration no longer focuses on "regime change" and has been open to dialogue on several occasions. Simultaneously, the U.S. president reiterated that he would not attack Iran before the midterm congressional elections, expressing that the war with Iran could end quickly. He stated that Iran is facing severe economic crises, adding, "Do we want to deliver a knockout blow or let it wither gradually as long as we get what we want?" These remarks come amid escalating preparations in Israel, Iran, and the United States for a possible new round of strikes. The U.S. president also affirmed that the war against Iran will end soon one way or another, emphasizing that the manner is less important than the certainty of its conclusion. Meanwhile, Tehran threatened to expand its responses if attacked again, including threats targeting undersea internet cables. Iran has restricted navigation through the vital Strait of Hormuz, while the U.S. has imposed a strict blockade on Iranian ports. Control over navigation through the strait remains a major point of tension between Tehran and Washington, with Iran insisting on supervising transit movements, which the U.S. and several other parties oppose.
