U.S. Ambassador Tom Barrack has credited Türkiye with playing a decisive role in brokering the latest Gaza ceasefire, underscoring Ankara’s diplomatic leverage in the region and the Trump administration’s strategy of pragmatic engagement to restore order in the Middle East.

“Ceasefire in Gaza wouldn’t have happened without Türkiye,” Barrack stated, speaking on Friday during regional consultations following the U.S.-brokered truce between Israel and Hamas. “It was Türkiye’s relationship with Hamas, not declaring them a terrorist organization, that allowed (Erdoğan) to push the last two over the hump to reach a ceasefire.”

The U.S. envoy’s remarks highlight a key shift in the region’s diplomatic dynamics — one where Washington works alongside regional actors, leveraging influence and relationships rather than isolating them, to secure tangible results. Under President Trump’s leadership, U.S. diplomacy has focused on results-driven negotiations that strengthen Israel’s security while reducing the risk of prolonged conflict.

Barrack, who has been central in coordinating U.S. regional outreach from Syria to the eastern Mediterranean, emphasized that Türkiye’s participation remains critical to sustaining post-ceasefire stabilization. “I think everything stands still. Türkiye will be a participant,” he concluded, signaling a continued U.S.-Turkish dialogue despite historical frictions.

The comments come amid broader U.S. efforts to consolidate the ceasefire’s gains through a multinational monitoring framework that includes Egypt, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates — nations seen as instrumental in maintaining humanitarian access while countering Iran-backed destabilization efforts.

Barrack’s acknowledgment of Türkiye’s role underscores the administration’s strategic flexibility — engaging with diverse partners to achieve peace without compromising America’s commitment to Israel’s defense or regional deterrence. As one senior U.S. official noted, “This is exactly what peace through strength looks like — tough diplomacy, credible partners, and results that save lives.”