Washington — President Trump on Monday signed an executive order officially ending the United States’ long-standing sanctions program against Syria, the White House announced.The move follows the president’s May trip to the Middle East, where he pledged to lift all sanctions on Syria. During that trip, Trump met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who had recently announced the formation of a transitional government following the collapse of the Assad regime. Sanctions, however, will remain in place against former President Bashar al-Assad, his close associates, and other entities tied to human rights abuses, terrorism, chemical weapons activity, and drug trafficking.“This executive order will lift sanctions on Syria while maintaining targeted restrictions against Assad, known human rights violators, ISIS and its affiliates, and Iranian proxies,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.Syria’s new transitional government has lobbied the U.S. for sanctions relief, arguing that the restrictions have hindered efforts to rebuild essential infrastructure, pay civil servants, and restore basic services following years of conflict. Some easing of sanctions had already begun before Trump’s May announcement.While the executive order lifts many federal restrictions, some sanctions codified in law—such as those tied to Syria’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism since 1979—will require Congressional action to be fully repealed.Last month, the Treasury Department issued guidance rolling back sanctions on Syrian banks, airlines, and transactions involving President al-Sharaa. The guidance also authorized certain infrastructure investments, aiming to spark economic recovery. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the steps were part of Trump’s promise to promote stability and growth in the post-war nation.“Syria must continue its efforts to become a peaceful and stable country,” Bessent said. “These actions are designed to encourage responsible investment that supports that goal.”Regional U.S. allies, including Turkey and Saudi Arabia, have welcomed the policy shift. Both have extended aid to the new Syrian government, and Saudi Arabia has offered to help cover the country’s debt—efforts that were previously complicated by U.S. sanctions. Riyadh views closer ties with Damascus as a strategic opportunity to draw Syria away from Iran’s sphere of influence.Syria’s Central Bank Governor, Abdelkadir Husrieh, raised the issue of sanctions relief during meetings with international leaders at the IMF and World Bank spring gatherings in Washington earlier this year.U.S. sanctions on Syria have expanded over the past two decades, targeting the Assad regime for alleged war crimes and ties to terrorist groups. Those penalties intensified during and after the country’s brutal civil war, which ended in December when opposition forces led by Sharaa captured Damascus after 13 years of conflict.The 2003 Syria Accountability Act, signed into law by President George W. Bush, had laid much of the groundwork for U.S. sanctions. It cited Syria’s support for terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah, its military presence in Lebanon, and alleged weapons programs as justification for economic penalties that remained in force for decades.
