President Donald Trump announced that his administration will remove Syria from the U.S. State Department’s State Sponsors of Terrorism list, a designation the country has held since 1979. If finalized, the move would represent a significant shift in U.S. policy toward Syria and could open the door for broader economic engagement and international investment.
The announcement came as Trump met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Turkey. The decision follows months of policy changes aimed at rebuilding relations between Washington and Damascus after the fall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Announcement
During a meeting with President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Trump confirmed that he intends to remove Syria from the terrorism list when asked by reporters.
“He has done a great job,” Trump said, adding that he supports removing Syria from the designation.
Trump praised al-Sharaa for unifying the country following years of conflict and described him as a respected leader who has made significant progress in a short period.
Background
Syria was added to the U.S. State Sponsors of Terrorism list in 1979, making it the longest-serving country under that designation.
The country was originally listed because of the former Assad government’s support for organizations designated by the United States as terrorist groups.
The other countries currently on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list are:
- Cuba
- Iran
- North Korea
Ahmed al-Sharaa
Ahmed al-Sharaa has had an unusual political journey.
He previously led an al-Qaeda-affiliated group in Syria, had a $10 million U.S. bounty placed on him, and spent time in Iraq’s Abu Ghraib prison.
In late 2024, he led a coalition of Islamist rebel groups that overthrew Bashar al-Assad. Since becoming president, al-Sharaa has sought to rebuild Syria’s international relationships and secure economic recovery.
Trump said al-Sharaa has successfully unified the country and expressed confidence in his leadership.
Congressional Process
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Congress has officially been notified of the administration’s intention to remove Syria from the terrorism list.
Under U.S. law, Congress has a 45-day review period before the removal can take effect.
Rubio said the administration based its decision on:
- Positive political changes under President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
- Syria’s counterterrorism actions.
- Formal assurances that Syria will not support international terrorism in the future.
Although Congress has the authority to challenge the decision, significant opposition is not currently expected.
Economic Impact
Removing Syria from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list would eliminate one of the country’s biggest remaining barriers to rejoining the international financial system.
The designation currently limits access to:
| Area | Current Impact |
|---|---|
| U.S. foreign assistance | Restricted |
| International banking | Limited access |
| Foreign investment | Major obstacle |
| Business partnerships | Significantly restricted |
If the designation is lifted, Syria could attract investment in several sectors, including:
- Oil and energy
- Banking
- Technology
- Real estate
- Infrastructure
Officials believe increased investment could support economic recovery and improve long-term stability.
Previous Steps
The proposed removal follows several recent developments in U.S.-Syria relations.
In May 2025, Trump announced the lifting of sanctions on Syria as part of an effort to establish a new relationship between the two countries.
Later, the United Nations Security Council approved a U.S.-backed resolution allowing Ahmed al-Sharaa to travel internationally, leading to his official visit to Washington and a meeting with Trump at the White House.
Congress also repealed comprehensive sanctions under the Caesar Syrian Civilian Protection Act, allowing Syria to begin conducting more business with regional and American companies.
However, the terrorism designation remained one of the final restrictions affecting Syria’s full participation in international finance.
Lawmakers’ Response
Some members of Congress have expressed cautious support for removing Syria from the terrorism list.
Earlier this month, a bipartisan group of lawmakers encouraged the administration to consider delisting Syria while emphasizing that the country’s government should continue making progress on political reforms.
They also highlighted the importance of protecting women, minority communities, and maintaining regional security as Syria continues its transition.
What Comes Next
If Congress does not block the decision during the review period, Syria will officially be removed from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list for the first time in nearly five decades.
The change would represent a major shift in U.S. foreign policy and could strengthen diplomatic ties while expanding opportunities for trade, investment, and economic cooperation. At the same time, U.S. officials have indicated they will continue monitoring Syria’s commitments on counterterrorism and governance as relations between the two countries evolve.
