Israel has proposed lifting some U.S. sanctions on Syrian President Bashar Assad in exchange for his help in preventing arms flow to Hezbollah. Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer suggested sanction relief to ensure Russian involvement in blocking arms smuggling from Syria to Lebanon. The proposal aims to stop the 'Iranian highway' connecting Beirut to Iran via Syria and Iraq. Dermer recently visited Moscow to promote the idea, with hopes that Russia can influence Hezbollah, Syria, and Iran.