US to make new diplomatic push on Syria, talk to Iran: officials

After backing a United Nations peace process that has failed to end the Syrian conflict, Kerry will test several ideas for a new approach during the United Nations General Assembly in New York in the coming days, the officials said.

The new approach - which officials stressed was in its infancy - could bring together Russia, a major ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Saudi Arabia and countries such as Turkey and Qatar, which support Syrian opposition groups.

Three years after the agreement of the Geneva Communiqué, a document setting out guidelines on Syria's path to peace and a political transition, the UN process has failed to make headway in brokering an end to the war.

"And so you will get from Secretary Kerry an effort to find some formula that will get us back to a real substantial negotiation," a senior US official said.

US Under-Secretary of State Wendy Sherman told reporters on September 25 that Kerry would discuss Syria when he meets Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in New York.

Iran, which has said it is willing to sit down with rivals to discuss the crisis in Syria, is a staunch ally of Assad that backs the activities in Syria of Lebanese militant group Hizbollah, which has given Assad vital support. US officials acknowledge that to reach a political breakthrough in Syria, Iran will eventually have to play a role.

Kerry had not wanted to discuss Syria at the same time as the negotiations on an Iran nuclear deal, which concluded in July, because he didn’t want Tehran to think it could trade concessions on Syria, US officials said.

The White House said on September 24 that President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin would discuss Syria when they meet in New York on September 28. Diplomats say the meeting is critical for a better understanding of Russia's intentions.

One of the biggest obstacles, officials say, will be agreeing on the future of Assad.

The United States still insists "Assad must go" but has shown flexibility in recent months over the timing of his departure. Kerry stated in Europe at the weekend it need not be on "day one or month one."

Russia has shown signs it is willing to negotiate, but Iran is Assad's closest ally and

Early indications are that European allies, increasingly concerned with the refugee crisis, support Kerry's plans.

One European official said: "We fully support the UN process and are looking to explore other avenues, but the fundamental of 'Assad must go' remains."