President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that his administration will lift U.S. sanctions on Syria, following the collapse of the Assad regime late last year. Trump framed the move as a pivotal step toward supporting Syria’s transition and rebuilding efforts under its new leadership.
Speaking at a Saudi investment forum in Riyadh, Trump said he made the decision in consultation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
“Syria has endured decades of devastation,” Trump said. “My administration has taken the first steps toward restoring relations with Syria for the first time in over ten years.”
The end of the sanctions marks a major shift in U.S. policy and is widely seen as a diplomatic victory for Syria’s new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, who came to power after the Assad regime was ousted in December.
Al-Sharaa, a former militant leader once linked to al Qaeda, has since distanced himself from extremist groups and now leads a transitional government. Trump met with the Syrian leader in Riyadh on Wednesday — their first direct meeting and the highest-level contact between the two governments to date.
Though Washington has not formally recognized the new administration in Damascus or reopened diplomatic channels, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to meet Syria’s foreign minister, Asaad Al-Shaibani, later this week in Turkey.
The announcement drew a mixed reaction on Capitol Hill. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) expressed support, calling the decision a “long-awaited window of opportunity.” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), while cautious, said he was open to supporting relief “under the right conditions” but stressed the need for continued coordination with Israel.
Israel, which had expanded military operations in Syria following Assad’s fall, is likely to view the policy shift as a setback. Graham, speaking from Turkey, noted that Israeli officials remain deeply concerned about developments on their northern border.
In Syria, the news sparked celebrations. Videos posted online showed thousands gathering in Homs and Latakia, waving flags and chanting pro-Saudi slogans. Fireworks lit up the night sky as people cheered the lifting of what they described as “crippling” sanctions.
“Our ultimate goal is to rebuild our country,” said Osaid Basha, a Homs resident celebrating in the city’s main square. “Toppling the regime was only the first step. Now we focus on recovery.”
Economy and Trade Minister Mohammad Nidal al-Shaar broke into tears during a televised interview with Saudi outlet Al Arabiya. “Syria’s revival is beginning,” he said. “We are heading toward an economic renaissance.”
The Syrian government expects financial flows to resume quickly once the country is reinstated into SWIFT, the international banking network. President al-Sharaa said the initial investments will likely come from the Syrian diaspora, followed by regional allies.
Geir Pedersen, the UN’s special envoy for Syria, welcomed the U.S. move, stressing its importance for restoring basic services and reviving the economy. The decision comes after the European Union and the United Kingdom eased parts of their own sanctions regimes earlier this year.
Natasha Hall of the Center for Strategic and International Studies said the announcement signals a major diplomatic win for Saudi Arabia, which has been actively supporting Syria’s reintegration into the Arab world.
“Trump’s statement may be a message of quiet approval to U.S. allies,” Hall said. “If backed by sustained engagement, it could mark a turning point for Syria’s reconstruction.”
For many Syrians, the end of sanctions brings long-awaited hope. “The path is now clear,” said al-Sharaa. “We invite the world to invest in our future.”
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