US Envoy Tom Barrack Clarifies Remarks on Golan Heights

US Special Envoy to Syria and Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack clarified on Sunday that his recent remarks describing the Golan Heights as occupied did not represent a shift in Washington's policy. Barrack, who had made the comments during an interview with entrepreneur Mario Nawfal, told the Associated Press that his reference to occupation was intended only as a description of the territory's historical status. He stressed that the US policy on the Golan, established by President Donald Trump in 2019, remains unchanged. Israel captured the territory from Syria in 1967 and formally applied sovereignty in 1981. While the United Nations and much of the international community view the Golan as occupied, the Trump administration recognized Israeli sovereignty five years ago. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz had previously criticized the envoy's initial comments as inaccurate and contradictory to established US policy. Regarding separate negotiations concerning Lebanon and Hezbollah, Barrack also clarified that his mention of the group did not imply a proposal for direct talks. He reiterated that Hezbollah is a designated foreign terrorist organization and that the United States does not negotiate with it, noting that Iran's role in financing and arming the group complicates the resolution of the conflict.