Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shibani arrived in Washington on Thursday, marking the first official visit by a Syrian official of his rank in more than 25 years, amid U.S. political efforts seen as supportive of Damascus, including easing sanctions and mediating between Syria’s new leadership and Israel.

According to the news site Axios, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham said al-Shibani is scheduled to meet with American lawmakers in Washington this week to discuss lifting remaining U.S. sanctions on Syria, Reuters reported.