During his visit to the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum in Riyadh, President Donald Trump announced the decision to lift all U.S. sanctions on Syria. In his address, Trump emphasized the need to provide Syria with an opportunity for recovery and stability after years of conflict and suffering.
Trump described the recent political changes in Syria, noting the establishment of a new government led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda member who has since claimed to be reformed. He expressed hope that this new administration would succeed in stabilizing the country and fostering peace. "In Syria, which has seen so much misery and death, there is a new government that will hopefully succeed in stabilizing the country and keeping peace," Trump stated.
The sanctions, which have been in place since 1979 and have been tightened in subsequent years, were characterized by Trump as "brutal and crippling." He argued that they no longer served a necessary purpose and that lifting them would allow Syria to "shine" and potentially rebuild its society and economy. This marks a significant shift in U.S. policy, as relations between the United States and Syria have been fraught for over a decade, particularly following the violent suppression of anti-government protests by the Assad regime.
The announcement follows a period of upheaval in Syria, including the fall of the previous Assad government in December 2024, which was unexpected by many in the international community. The lifting of sanctions is seen as a potential turning point for Syria as it embarks on a path towards recovery and normalization in its international relations.