Trump unveils major Middle East appointment amid ongoing Iran negotiations

WASHINGTON, DC:  Amid the uncertainty over the Iran deal and the status of peace terms negotiation, President Donald Trump on Sunday, May 31, announced a revision in the Middle East diplomatic lineup.

Making a post on Truth Social, Trump reassigned the US Ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, to other duties, as he hailed Barrack in the ambassador job as “outstanding."

Trump assigns Tom Barrack additional duties

"I am pleased to announce that United States Ambassador to Türkiye, Tom Barrack, who has done an outstanding job, will be named Special Presidential Envoy to Syria and, likewise, Special Presidential Envoy to Iraq, as we advance our strategic cooperation with the Governments of Syria and Iraq, our relationship with them continues to grow!" Trump wrote.

Barrack’s job as special presidential envoy to Syria and Iraq will be an additional position, as he will continue serving as an ambassador to Turkiye.

“Tom will remain Ambassador to Türkiye and operate with the full backing of the United States Department of State. We greatly appreciate the work that Tom Barrack has done, and his continued willingness to serve our Country," he added.

Barrack’s expanded assignment places him at the center of several overlapping pressure points in the region, such as the future of US engagement with Syria, the stability of Iraq, Turkey's role as a regional power broker and the broader fallout from the US-Iran conflict.

Trump warns of military use if Iran talks collapse

President Donald Trump said Iran has accepted a tougher nuclear restriction than previously discussed during ongoing negotiations with Washington, while simultaneously warning that the United States is prepared to return to military action if diplomacy falls apart.

Speaking during an interview on 'My View' with Lara Trump on Saturday, May 30, Trump claimed Tehran has now agreed not only to avoid developing a nuclear weapon but also not to obtain one through any outside source.

"They originally said, 'We will not develop a nuclear weapon,'" Trump said. "I said, well, what happens if you buy a nuclear weapon?"

He then revealed what he described as the revised understanding between both sides.

"So now it says, 'We will not develop or in any way purchase a military weapon.' That's a big difference," Trump said. "So we're getting what we want slowly."

Trump said that the Iran negotiations are tough but affirmed that Washington holds the upper hand. He further affirmed that he is in no hurry to make the deal.