Tom Barrack Retracts Comments on Golan Heights Sovereignty

U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy for Syria and Iraq Tom Barrack retracted comments made on August 22 in which he described the Golan Heights as occupied Syrian territory. During an interview with podcaster Mario Nawfal, Barrack asserted that Israel occupies the region in defiance of United Nations resolutions and the international order.

The remarks triggered immediate condemnation from Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, who called the claims full of inaccuracies, and U.S. Senator Rick Scott, who noted that President Donald Trump had been clear about Israeli sovereignty for years. Commentator Laura Loomer further called for Barrack's resignation, citing a lack of understanding of U.S. foreign policy.

On Sunday, Barrack clarified that his remarks described the territory's historical status rather than endorsing a policy shift, reasserting that U.S. policy established by President Trump in 2019 remains unchanged. He also defended his views on Lebanon, denying that he proposed including Iran or Hezbollah at a negotiating table.

Separately, Barrack speculated that recent Israeli strikes on Syria's Abu al-Duhur airbase were a deliberate attempt by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to bait Turkey for domestic political gain. Israel Katz rejected this, stating the strikes were necessary to prevent Turkey from establishing a military presence in Syria following the fall of Bashar Assad, a claim both Turkey and Syria have denied.