US government begins lifting sanctions on Syria just days after Trump meets Ahmad al-Sharaa in Riyadh

"GL 25 authorizes transactions prohibited by the Syrian Sanctions Regulations, effectively lifting sanctions on Syria," read the statement issued by the Department.

GL 25 will enable new investment and private sector activity consistent with the President’s America First strategy. 

The U.S. Department of State is concurrently issuing a waiver under the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act (Caesar Act) that will enable our foreign partners, allies, and the region to further unlock Syria’s potential. 

This is just one part of a broader U.S. government effort to remove the full architecture of sanctions imposed on Syria due to the abuses of the Bashar al-Assad regime.

“As President Trump promised, the Treasury Department and the State Department are implementing authorizations to encourage new investment into Syria.  Syria must also continue to work towards becoming a stable country that is at peace, and today’s actions will hopefully put the country on a path to a bright, prosperous, and stable future,” said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent.

180-day Waiver Of Mandatory Caesar Act Sanctions

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the actions represent the first step in delivering on the President’s vision of a new relationship between Syria and the United States.

"In accordance with the President’s promise to deliver sanctions relief to Syria, I have issued a 180-day waiver of mandatory Caesar Act sanctions to ensure sanctions do not impede the ability of our partners to make stability-driving investments, and advance Syria’s recovery and reconstruction efforts," Rubio said in a statement.

"These waivers will facilitate the provision of electricity, energy, water, and sanitation, and enable a more effective humanitarian response across Syria," he said.

US President's Rare Meeting With Syrian Leader

Saudi Arabia witnessed a rare moment in global politics when Donald Trump shook hands with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, whose name was once tied to jihadist movements and al-Qaida and even carried a bounty of USD 10 million on his head.

Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was once known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, met the US President on the sidelines of a summit between Trump and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders.

Ahmad al-Sharaa gained worldwide attention as the leader of the  Syrian rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) only six months ago when he led the swift campaign in the war-ravaged nation, which toppled the former president Bashar al-Assad-led regime.

With the fall of Assad, Al-Sharaa declared himself the new leader of a Middle East nation that has been troubled by wars for years.

Global Terrorist Past

Al Sharaa was placed on the US Specially Designated Global Terrorist list in 2013 for heading al Qaeda’s affiliate in Syria, known as Al Nusra Front, and allegedly orchestrating suicide bombings across Syria, reported CNN.

The Saudi-born Syrian President had spent years fighting against US forces in Iraq.

First Meeting In 25 Years

It is the first time a US President has met a Syrian leader in 25 years.

According to a CNN report, the Syrian foreign ministry said Trump committed to “standing by Syria at this critical juncture.”

In a major diplomatic move, Trump recently announced the removal of decades-old sanctions on Syria.

Since December 1979, Syria has been designated by the US as a State Sponsor of Terrorism.

According to media reports, Turkey, a longtime ally of HTS, brokered al-Sharaa’s visit to Saudi Arabia and even the country's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, attended the meeting with Trump over the phone.

Speaking of the meeting, Trump's spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, earlier wrote on X: "Today, President Trump, at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa. President Erdogan of Turkey joined by phone. President Erdogan praised President Trump for lifting sanctions on Syria and committed to working alongside Saudi Arabia to encourage peace and prosperity in Syria."