Washington announced on Monday that Syria is no longer on the United States’ list of state sponsors of terrorism, a designation it has carried since 1979. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the formal rescission follows the mandatory 45‑day congressional notification period and reflects the Syrian government’s recent steps to distance itself from international terrorism.
Policy background and executive action
President Donald Trump initiated the process in July after informing Congress that the Syrian government had ceased supporting terrorist activities. The administration cited Trump’s June 2025 executive order, “Providing for the Revocation of Syria Sanctions,” which terminated the Syria Sanctions Program and the national emergency with respect to Syria while directing reviews of related sanctions and terrorist designations.
Rubio added that the United States also removed Hay’at Tahrir al‑Sham (HTS) from the Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) list, further easing restrictions on economic engagement.
Syrian government’s recent actions
According to the statement, the Syrian government under President Ahmed al‑Sharaa has taken “significant steps to counterterrorism,” including formally joining the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in November and conducting operations against ISIS, al‑Qa’ida, Hezbollah, and Iran‑aligned groups. Al‑Sharaa came to power after ousting former President Bashar al‑Assad in December 2024 in an offensive led by HTS rebels.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al‑Shibani told Reuters that lifting the designation will help restore Syria’s links to the global financial system and encourage investment after nearly 14 years of war. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent echoed the sentiment, calling the action “in line with President Trump’s promise to deliver sanctions relief to Syria.”
Implications for investment and reconstruction
Rubio said the removal of the terrorism sponsor label “eliminates the final major barriers for private‑sector investment in Syria and promotes Syria’s economic recovery and reintegration into the global economy.” The Central Bank of Syria’s governor described the decision as a “historic step that returns it to its natural place within the global economic system.”
While Syria’s delisting opens the door for foreign businesses, the United States continues to maintain sanctions designations against Cuba, Iran and North Korea, underscoring that the move is specific to Syria’s recent policy shifts.
Broader context
The decision reflects a broader U.S. strategy of using sanctions relief as a tool to encourage governments to adopt counter‑terrorism measures and align with American foreign‑policy goals. Critics have warned that premature removal of restrictions could expose investors to lingering security risks, but officials argue that the Syrian government’s commitments justify the change.
As the Syrian economy begins to re‑engage with international markets, observers will watch how quickly private capital flows into reconstruction projects and whether the promised stability materializes.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
