America's ambassador to Turkey: Iran and America are close to an agreement.
Tom Barak, the US ambassador to Turkey and Donald Trump's special envoy to Syria and Iraq, says that Washington and Tehran are very close to reaching an agreement to reduce military tensions.
Mr. Barak expressed hope that in the next two weeks important steps will be taken to reduce tensions and stop the military confrontations.
Mr. Barak said: "We are very close; "very close to the point where we can say let's create a break and reduce the intensity of tensions."
Referring to the diplomatic efforts of Qatar, Pakistan and other US allies to mediate between Tehran and Washington, Mr. Barak said that these countries have an important role in bringing the parties closer to agreeing on a political process. He emphasized that it is not possible to immediately reach a comprehensive agreement, but by creating a cessation of hostilities, ground can be provided for further negotiations and the formation of new regional arrangements.
According to him, the current goal is for the parties to first reduce the intensity of tensions and then give the countries of the region an opportunity to find more stable solutions at their own pace and on their own terms.
Mr. Barak also said that the use of military force is an issue that the president and other officials in the American government take very seriously, but what is happening now is trying to provide all possible options in order to prevent such an operation.