Trump says he’ll remove Syria as state sponsor of terrorism for the first time since 1979
Trump to Remove Syria From Terrorism List
Trump says he ll remove Syria from the State Department's list of State Sponsors of Terrorism, marking a historic shift in U.S. foreign policy. The announcement came during a meeting at the NATO summit in Turkey on Wednesday, with President Donald Trump sitting alongside Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at Ankara's Bestepe Presidential Compound. This would be the first time since 1979 that Syria could be delisted from this significant designation.
When asked about the potential removal, Trump expressed clear support for the decision.
He's done a great job. Maybe he would have brought that up. That's a good question. Yeah, any problems with that? I think we should. Yeah, I will,
Trump stated regarding al-Sharaa's candidacy for delisting. The president offered substantial praise for the Syrian leader during their bilateral meeting, marking a remarkable transformation for the man who once headed an al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria.
A Dramatic Political Transformation
Al-Sharaa's journey from a wanted terrorist figure to Syria's president has been extraordinary. At one point, he carried a $10 million bounty on his head and spent time imprisoned in the notorious Abu Ghraib facility in Iraq. His political ascent culminated in late 2024 when he led a coalition of Islamist rebel factions to overthrow former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Trump emphasized al-Sharaa's accomplishments during their meeting.
He's done a really fantastic job as president. He's unified the country in a very short period of time,
the U.S. president remarked, characterizing the Syrian leader as a strong individual who commands respect from all quarters.
We're proud of the job he's doing,
Trump added.
Legislative Process and Congressional Review
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the administration had formally notified Congress of the plan to rescind Syria's designation. The process requires a 45-day period for congressional review before the delisting can take effect. In his official statement, Rubio cited an executive order issued by the president the previous year, which mandated a comprehensive review of Syria's status.
The executive order specifically referenced positive changes and counterterrorism actions undertaken by the Syrian government under al-Sharaa's leadership. Additionally, the president received formal assurances from al-Sharaa that Syria would not support international terrorism going forward. These two elements satisfied the requirements for delisting. While Congress retains the authority to block the removal, analysts do not anticipate significant opposition to the move.
Economic Implications for Syria
The commitment to potentially removing Syria from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list addresses one of the final barriers preventing the nation from fully reintegrating into the international financial system. The United States originally designated Syria as a state sponsor of terrorism in 1979, making it the longest-running designation for any country on the list. The other nations currently holding this status are Cuba, Iran, and North Korea.
Syria received this designation primarily due to the former al-Assad regime's historical backing of designated terrorist organizations. However, U.S. officials have indicated that several additional steps must be completed before the designation can be officially removed. A bipartisan group of lawmakers recently wrote to Trump advocating for Syria's removal, though they noted that al-Sharaa's government still needs to demonstrate progress in ensuring equal representation for women and minority constituents while maintaining regional security.
Building a New Relationship
The foundation for improved U.S.-Syria relations was laid in May 2025, when Trump announced plans to lift sanctions on Syria to establish a new bilateral relationship. By November, the United Nations Security Council formally adopted a U.S.-led resolution that removed sanctions on al-Sharaa, enabling him to travel to the United States for a historic Oval Office meeting with Trump—the first official visit by a Syrian president to the White House.
Congressional approval also came for repealing comprehensive sanctions under the Caesar Syrian Civilian Protection Act, which Trump signed into law in December. This repeal created pathways for Syria to engage in transactions with both regional and American businesses. Nevertheless, the state sponsor of terrorism designation continues to prevent Syria from accessing substantial U.S. foreign assistance.
Lifting this designation could unlock numerous investment opportunities across Syria, including sectors such as oil, banking, technology, and real estate, potentially transforming the country's economic landscape for years to come.