A torn poster of Bashar al-Assad in Aleppo city, 2016

The Trump Administration has denied a US-Russian deal for Syria’s leader Bashar al-Assad to remain in power if Moscow limits Iranian influence in the country.

Quoting Western diplomats, The Arabic daily Asharq al-Awsat claimed the Administration is ready to recognize Assad, reversing the US position since 2011. The US would lift sanctions that have been placed on the regime.

The newspaper added that the US, Russia, and Israel will hold discussions this month.

But a senior Administration official declared, “There is no basis for this report and that is not US policy position.”

He said Washington’s discussions still seek fulfillment of a UN Security Council resolution, adopted in 2015, for “an inclusive and Syrian-led political process that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people, with a view to full implementation of the Geneva Communique of June 30, 2012”.

That communique calls for inclusive talks, a new constitution, and democratic elections.

However, the official confirmed Asharq al-Awsat’s report of a trilateral meeting with Russia and Israel. He said it will take place in Jerusalem between US National Security Adviser John Bolton with Israeli and Russian counterparts Meir Ben-Shabbat and Nikolay Patrushev.

Donald Trump tweeted on Sunday:

But there is no public sign of the US or the international community acting to stop Russian and regime attacks that have shattered a demilitarized zone in northwest Syria, despite the UN’s warning of a “humanitarian catastrophe” in an area where an estimated 3 million people — about 20% of Syria’s remaining population — live.

Russia-regime bombing and shelling have killed about 300 civilians since April 28, wounded hundreds more, and added to the displacement of more than 300,000 people. Attacks have destroyed or damaged 28 medical facilities.

Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected a call from Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for a ceasefire and return to political processes last week. Moscow repeated the rejection on Monday after Trump’s tweet.

Russia also blocked a UN Security Council statement expressing alarm about the killing of civilians and the possibility of a humanitarian disaster.

Syria Daily: Russia Blocks UN Statement Against Killing Civilians in Northwest
Syria Daily, June 1: Russia to Turkey — No Ceasefire in Northwest

A Russia-regime offensive to seize part of the last major opposition area in Syria began on May 6. It initially seized several towns in northwest Hama, but has been checked by counter-attacks by anti-Assad forces.

Russian bombing continued overnight across southern Idlib Province.