Trump Lifts Decades-Old Sanctions on Syria After Regime Change

Trump Lifts Decades-Old Sanctions on Syria After Regime Change
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U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday ending the United States’ longstanding sanctions program on Syria, the White House announced. The move follows Trump’s pledge during a May trip to the Middle East to lift sanctions after the collapse of the Assad regime and the formation of a transitional government.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said sanctions would remain in place against former President Bashar al-Assad, his associates, human rights abusers, drug traffickers, and groups linked to chemical weapons, ISIS, and Iranian proxies. The transitional government has lobbied Washington for relief, arguing sanctions have hindered reconstruction and essential services after years of civil war.

Some measures were eased last month when the Treasury Department issued guidance rolling back restrictions on Syrian banks, airlines, and infrastructure investments. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the changes are meant to encourage investment while Syria works toward stability. However, certain sanctions still require congressional action to be formally lifted.