U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack says Iran is “not an evil regime,” describing the Twelver Shia theocracy established in 1979 as a religious system deserving respect.
“That’s a religious content and practice that we all respect.” Barrack instead singled out the IRGC,
Assessment
The U.S. Ambassador to Turkey has publicly distinguished between Iran's religious system and its military apparatus, calling the regime worthy of respect while targeting the IRGC. This breaks with standard American diplomatic language that frames the Iranian government as a unified adversary. The remark may signal a policy shift or simply a personal view, but it will likely create friction with allies who see the regime as inseparable from its revolutionary guard. Watch for State Department clarification or pushback from Congress.