US-Iran tensions escalate as diplomacy and military options collide

Ambassador Barrack says strike could come this weekend as Turkey warns against expansion of war

US-Iran tensions escalate as diplomacy and military options collide — US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack said this weekend that military strikes on Iran could happen this weekend, stating 'Absolutely' when asked if an Iran strike could occur. The comment came as the United States is quietly reducing its diplomatic presence in the Middle East amid fears of regional escalation, ordering non-essential staff and their families to leave Saudi Arabia while simultaneously reducing personnel at embassies in Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Lebanon.[^1] Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan cautioned Friday against any renewed attack on Iran, stating that such a move would exacerbate tensions and expand the conflict, and that diplomacy and dialogue are the only way to end the war.[^2] Fidan said all participants agreed that a new attack on Iran would expand the war and that a military intervention is not a solution.[^2] The contrast between Fidan's diplomatic push and Barrack's direct language underscores a widening gap between regional mediators and Washington's apparent readiness to act. US President Donald Trump hinted at the possibility of further military action against Iran, saying, "We might do another small operation called 'Epic Fury'." The remark, delivered without a timeline, leaves open whether 'this weekend' refers to a specific operation or a broader campaign. The State Department's personnel drawdown suggests preparations for a potential escalation, even as Ankara insists on a diplomatic off-ramp. Whether the US follows through on Barrack's timeline — or whether 'Epic Fury' is a rhetorical flourish — will test whether the administration's internal debate leans toward action or restraint. Netanyahu's crypto gambit and the right's unshackling — Lt. Col. (res.) Or Horowitz, a former intelligence officer, attacks Prime Minister Netanyahu's proposal to use cryptocurrency as a solution to sanctions, calling instead for a "sane policy" that will ensure Israel's place in the family of nations.[^1] The critique arrives after Netanyahu told journalist Roy Katz that American security aid is coming to an end — "It's over, only a matte