Middle East

Trump lifts key US sanctions on Syria

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday to formally lift a wide-ranging sanctions program against Syria, a move expected to open the door to foreign investment in the war-ravaged country, more than six months after the overthrow of former President Bashar al-Assad.

The order provides sanctions relief for “entities critical to Syria’s development, the operation of its government, and the rebuilding of the country’s social fabric,” according to a statement from the U.S. Treasury Department.

U.S. sanctions on Syria, many of which predate the outbreak of civil war in 2011, have long targeted Syrian government officials and institutions over alleged human rights violations and links to terrorism. Critics say the sanctions hindered post-conflict reconstruction and contributed to the collapse of the Syrian economy under Assad’s rule.

Trump first pledged to ease sanctions during his visit to the Middle East in May. “The United States is committed to supporting a Syria that is stable, unified, and at peace with itself and its neighbors,” he said in a statement Monday. “A united Syria that does not offer safe haven to terrorist organizations and protects its religious and ethnic minorities supports regional stability and prosperity.”

The White House clarified that sanctions targeting former regime officials, including Bashar al-Assad and his associates, as well as groups such as the Islamic State and Iranian-backed militias, will remain in effect.

According to the Treasury, 518 Syrian individuals and entities have been removed from U.S. sanctions lists under the new order, although some sanctions may remain in place pending further review.

As part of the executive action, President Trump directed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to review the designation of interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa as a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist.” Al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Julani, previously led the al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Nusra Front in Syria. He formally severed ties with al-Qaeda in 2016, and his group later became known as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

Al-Sharaa emerged as the de facto leader in Idlib Province and later led the offensive that ousted Assad from power in December 2024. He has since pledged inclusive governance and assurances that Syria will not pose a threat to its neighbors, including Israel.

Trump met with al-Sharaa during a high-profile visit to Saudi Arabia in May, describing the interim leader as “attractive” and “tough.” However, recent reports of violence and retaliatory attacks against members of the Alawite community — the sect to which Assad belonged — have raised concerns among human rights groups.

The administration also said it would review the status of HTS, which is still designated as a foreign terrorist organization under U.S. law.

The future of Syria under al-Sharaa remains uncertain, and observers say Washington’s pivot marks a significant shift in its Middle East policy, with potential implications for regional dynamics and international engagement with Damascus.