US removes Syria from terror sponsor list, lifts sanctions

The United States has officially removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, simultaneously lifting associated sanctions. This significant diplomatic shift signals a further improvement in relations between the two nations.

The U.S. State Department also rescinded the designation of the Nusra Front, also known as Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), as a global terrorist organization. HTS leads rebel factions that overthrew the long-standing Assad regime in December 2024.

Following the State Department's announcement, the U.S. Treasury Department lifted the sanctions. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the actions "will help promote greater investment in Syria to foster political and economic stability." The Treasury Department emphasized that these measures "do not alter the Treasury Department’s commitment to combating global terrorism and holding accountable Syrian bad actors."

Syrian Central Bank Governor praised Washington's decision to delist Syria, expressing the country's efforts to "build a modern and reliable financial system." U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that the measure "removes the last major barrier to private sector investment in Syria and promotes Syria’s economic recovery and reintegration into the global economy."

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