US to Remove Syria from Terror Sponsor List, Strengthening Sharaa's Position

The United States has announced it will remove Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, a designation in place since 1979 that has severely hampered economic investment. The decision, communicated by Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Congress on Wednesday, will take effect in 45 days unless lawmakers block it—an unlikely scenario.

This move comes as President Donald Trump met with Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Turkey. Sharaa, a former jihadist who helped overthrow the Assad regime in 2024, has sought to present himself as a unifying figure after decades of authoritarian rule by the Assad family.

Secretary Rubio stated that the delisting follows formal assurances from Sharaa that Syria will not support international terrorism in the future. He noted that lifting sanctions would unlock trade and investment, allowing Syria to rebuild after years of civil war that fuelled the rise of the Islamic State and created a major refugee crisis.

The decision has proceeded despite concerns from Israel, which has repeatedly carried out airstrikes in Syria. Trump had publicly pushed for Syria to make peace with Israel but went ahead with the delisting without tangible progress on that front.

With Syria removed, only Iran, North Korea, and Cuba remain on the US terror blacklist. Cuba was controversially added by the Trump administration at the end of its first term.

Analysts note that while previous sanctions relief had limited impact due to the terrorism designation, this removal is expected to significantly reduce legal risks for businesses operating in Syria. The country now looks to attract international investment for reconstruction.