In a landmark shift in U.S. foreign policy, President Donald Trump has announced the immediate lifting of all U.S. sanctions on Syria following the fall of the Assad regime.
The announcement was made during Trump’s visit to Riyadh, where he is on the first leg of a Middle East tour that also includes Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
The move comes ahead of a highly anticipated meeting between President Trump and Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, which took place in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.
The meeting was facilitated by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan joining via telephone. The White House described the encounter as an opportunity for Syria “to achieve something momentous in its homeland
Trump’s decision marks the end of more than a decade of crippling U.S. sanctions imposed on Syria, which began during Bashar al-Assad’s rule and were intensified following the outbreak of civil war and widespread human rights abuses. The sanctions had severely restricted Syria’s access to foreign investment, humanitarian aid, and international trade.
Speaking at an investment forum in Riyadh, Trump stated, I will be ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria in order to give them a chance at greatness. This is their moment to excel. We’re lifting all of them. Good luck, Syria, show us something extraordinary.
Trump indicated that the decision followed consultations with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Erdogan, both of whom advocated for the sanctions’ removal.
The announcement was met with celebrations in Damascus and across Syria, where citizens hope the move will help revive the war-torn economy after years of conflict.
Syrian Foreign Minister Aad Alaib called the decision a crucial turning point for the nation, expressing optimism for stability and reconstruction.
The policy reversal is also seen as a significant diplomatic win for President al-Sharaa, who came to power after Assad’s ouster in December.
Al-Sharaa has pledged to protect ethnic minorities and called for the removal of certain Islamist factions from international terrorist lists.
However, the shift has raised concerns among some international observers, particularly regarding the protection of minority rights and the future of groups previously targeted under U.S. sanctions.
The Israeli government is reportedly wary of the move, given recent territorial changes in Syria following Assad’s defeat.
The lifting of sanctions is expected to pave the way for renewed foreign investment, humanitarian operations, and Syria’s reintegration into the regional and global community.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to meet with Syria’s foreign minister in Turkey later this week to discuss the normalization process.
As President Trump continues his Middle East tour, the international community will be closely watching for further developments and the potential realignment of regional alliances that could follow this dramatic change in U.S. policy.
