Trump announces plan to remove Syria from US terrorism sponsor listremove Syria from US terrorism sponsor list
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he will remove Syria from the U.S. State Department's list of state sponsors of terrorism, citing the positive changes and counterterrorism actions of interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa's government.
This marks the first time Syria has been delisted since the designation was applied in 1979 following the Lebanese civil war. The move signals a major shift in U.S. policy aimed at rebuilding ties with Syria's new leadership following the fall of Bashar al-Assad and could unlock significant investment for the country.
Western Media
Western Media and U.S. officials frame the delisting as a strategic move to stabilize a post-Assad Syria, crediting al-Sharaa's government with positive counterterrorism reforms and stable governance that enables renewed investment and diplomatic ties.
Syrian Leadership
Syrian Leadership asserts that the removal of the terror label validates its legitimacy as the sovereign government, highlighting its success in unifying a previously disjointed nation and its commitment to counterterrorism as justification for restored U.S. trust.
Regional Analysts
Regional Analysts view the delisting as a pivotal shift in U.S. Middle East policy that could open Syria to international investment and reduce the influence of rivals like Iran and Russia by normalizing relations with the new Sunni-led government.
- Syria was added to the terror list in 1979 due to its support for militant groups in Lebanon and the Middle East.
- Ahmed al-Sharaa was born in 1982 in Saudi Arabia to Iraqi parents before returning to Syria to join the insurgency.
- The delisting could allow U.S. companies to invest in Syrian infrastructure, a sector previously blocked by sanctions.
US-Iran-Israel War
President Donald Trump declared the US-Iran interim ceasefire over on July 8, 2026, after launching strikes on more than 80 Iranian military targets following fresh Iranian attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, which also expired the 60-day memorandum of understanding signed in mid-June.
9 July, 01:52 AM
Trump flies home on old Air Force One after Iran strikes8 July, 08:30 PM
Trump ends Iran ceasefire as oil prices jump to $80 globally8 July, 08:56 AM
Trump declares US-Iran ceasefire over after fresh strikes
