Trump lifts sanctions against Syria
Donald Trump has signed a decree lifting sanctions against Syria — for the first time in years, Washington is shifting course and offering Damascus a chance for a fresh start.
Photo: Trump White House Archived, PDM 1.0
U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a historic decree to completely end the sanctions regime against Syria.
The document lifts most restrictions in place since 2011 but retains measures against Bashar al-Assad, his close associates, terrorist organizations, and individuals involved in chemical attacks.
According to the decree, the State Department must review Syria's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism and consider easing sanctions imposed under the "Caesar Act" if certain conditions are met.
Trump said he wants to give Syria a real chance to recover: "Now is their time to shine." The U.S. Treasury has already issued a license allowing transactions with the interim Syrian government and several state institutions. At the same time, the State Department has granted a 180-day suspension of sanctions under the Caesar Act.
The White House emphasized that sanctions remain in place against human rights violators, drug traffickers, ISIS supporters, and Iranian proxy groups. The U.S. will continue to monitor Damascus's actions, including regarding normalization with Israel and combating extremism.
It also became known that French President Emmanuel Macron held his first talks with the new Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, during which the parties discussed the situation in Syria, anti-Syrian sanctions, and counter-terrorism efforts.