Syrian Foreign Minister in Washington for First Damascus Official Visit in 25 Years

Syria’s foreign minister Asaad al-Shibani arrived in Washington on Thursday for the first official visit by a Damascus official to the United States in 25 years, a milestone that highlights the regime’s push to normalize relations with the West as the civil war recedes and sanctions are rolled back.

The trip comes as Washington has gradually loosened sanctions imposed on Syria after President Donald Trump met interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa in May, a move supporters say signals a shift toward engagement with Damascus. Al-Shibani, who has previously been in New York for United Nations talks and in Washington for meetings with the World Bank and IMF, is slated to meet U.S. officials on Capitol Hill and to hold discussions with Secretary of State Marco Rubio on efforts to permanently lift remaining sanctions and address security concerns along the Syrian-Israeli border. The Syrian foreign ministry described the visit as an official historic visit.

The envoy’s itinerary also reflects a broader diplomacy push, including discussions with Israel on a security framework along their border. Al-Shibani and his delegation were recently in Paris for a direct meeting with an Israeli delegation brokered by the United States, a sign of a regional pivot even as tensions persist.

Observers say the outreach aims to unlock reconstruction aid and investment as Syria contends with decades of isolation. Damascus seeks to sustain momentum for relief and development while Western capitals condition engagement on progress toward a political settlement and humanitarian access. The visit also foreshadows continued high-level participation in international forums; Ahmad al-Sharaa, described as interim Syrian president in some accounts, was expected to fly to New York next week for the United Nations General Assembly, a sign of Syria’s ongoing effort to re-enter the global stage.

In Washington, officials stress the path to full normalization remains contingent on security assurances and broader regional stability, even as sanctions relief moves forward. Analysts caution that any easing will likely be incremental and tied to verifiable steps, including humanitarian guarantees and commitments to civilian protection as the conflict’s consequences reverberate across the region.