US envoy says strike on Iran possible this weekend

The United States may launch a new military strike against Iran as soon as this weekend, according to Trump envoy Tom Barrack, who said such an operation is "absolutely" possible despite ongoing diplomatic efforts. Barrack, the US ambassador to Turkey and special envoy to Syria, made the statement Friday during an interview. President Trump later downplayed the remarks, saying he had no knowledge of such plans, while negotiations between Washington and Tehran remain deadlocked nearly eight months into the conflict. The threat comes ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, though Trump had previously suggested no new military action would occur before then. He has said he will soon decide between "the soft way" or "the strong way" regarding Iran, while Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu seeks to "topple" the Iranian regime.