"I think that the Americans want to improve their relations with Syria to weaken Iran and to further isolate it in the region, so I don't think the Americans need Syria as a mediator with Iran, because that would improve relations between Tehran and Damascus,"

VOA: standard.2009.03.18

Whereas if the Iranian government continues down its current path, it will only further isolate Iran.

WHITEHOUSE: Statement by President Obama on Nowruz