US leaving oil-for-security approach, not Middle East: Envoy Tom Barrack

Key Points:

• Senior US diplomat Tom Barrack stated that the United States is shifting away from its traditional security-for-oil strategy in the Middle East and no longer aims to dominate the region, instead focusing on reassessing its role without abandoning the area.
• Barrack acknowledged the limitations of US involvement, highlighting that regional countries increasingly recognize they cannot rely on America to solve all problems, and criticized past US interventions that led to 23 regime changes as largely ineffective.
• Amid ongoing US-Iran negotiations to end the destabilizing conflict, Qatar emphasized its role as a mediator, noting that continued quiet diplomacy and regional efforts aim to reach a deal despite fears of renewed fighting.
• Analysts pointed out that Iran seeks to end the war without surrendering to military or economic pressure, using strategic actions like attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz to maintain leverage against the US while signaling consequences for future military actions.
• Qatar reaffirmed its support for Saudi Arabia in the ongoing conflict against Yemen’s Houthi armed group, backing Riyadh’s efforts to defend sovereignty following intensified fighting and recent Houthi territorial gains along Yemen’s Red Sea coast.