US President Donald Trump has formally notified Congress of his intention to remove Syria from the United States' State Sponsors of Terrorism list, a move that would mark a major shift in American foreign policy. The notification, submitted on Wednesday, begins a mandatory 45-day review period during which Congress can object to the delisting. If no objection is raised, Syria will be removed from the list, ending a designation that has been in place since 1979. This action follows a broader policy shift by the Trump administration aimed at re-establishing ties with Syria after decades of diplomatic estrangement.
In May 2025, during a visit to Saudi Arabia, Trump announced the lifting of US sanctions on Syria to support post-war recovery efforts. This was formalised through an Executive Order signed on June 30, 2025, which revoked most sanctions effective July 1, 2025. However, targeted sanctions remain in place against former president Bashar al-Assad, members of his former government, human rights abusers, Captagon traffickers, individuals linked to Syria's past weapons programmes, ISIS, al-Qaeda affiliates, Iran, and its proxies.
The State Sponsors of Terrorism designation has long restricted US foreign assistance, defence exports, financial transactions, and other engagements with Syria. The White House stated that removing the designation is intended to create greater opportunities for the Syrian people to rebuild their country and strengthen its economy. At the same time, the administration emphasized that pressure would continue on individuals and groups accused of terrorism and other serious violations. The delisting represents one of the most significant changes in US policy toward Syria in over four decades.
The same administration that once condemned Syria's government now seeks to erase a 46-year-old terrorism designation it once treated as foundational. While targeted sanctions remain, removing the state-level label contradicts earlier assertions about Damascus's global threat level. This reversal offers no clarity on how accountability for past actions aligns with current diplomacy. The Syrian people are expected to benefit, yet the criteria for rehabilitation remain undefined.
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