The United States is willing to work with Iran and Russia to try to end the Syrian conflict, US President Barack Obama said on Monday at the UN General Assembly, but insisted there could not be a return to the status quo under Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
"The United States is prepared to work with any nation, including Russia and Iran, to resolve the conflict," Obama said at the annual gathering of world leaders, Reuters reported.
Obama pointed to the nuclear deal, a historic accord between Tehran and six world powers aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear program in exchange for tax reliefs, as an example of what can be accomplished by international cooperation.
"For two years, the United States and our partners including Russia, including China … stuck together," Obama said, adding that the deal is hoped for success and would ultimately make the world safer.
Obama highlighted the normalization of relations between the US and Cuba and stressed that the embargo against that country should be lifted. He added that "Cuba will find its success if it pursues cooperation with other nations."
Obama also addressed the rise of the Islamic State group. "There is no room for accommodating an apocalyptic cult like ISIL," the president said, using an alternative name for the extremist group.
