The United States has lifted sanctions on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa ahead of his planned visit to the White House next week. The move follows a similar decision by the UN Security Council and comes days before his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.
A notice published by the U.S. Treasury Department confirmed the removal of Specially Designated Global sanctions on al-Sharaa and Syria’s Interior Minister Anas Khattab, without detailing the reasons for the change.
The upcoming visit, scheduled for Monday, will mark the first White House meeting with a Syrian president in 25 years, and the second face-to-face encounter between al-Sharaa and Trump.
Ahead of their first meeting in May, Trump signaled a major shift in Washington’s approach to Damascus, announcing plans to ease U.S. restrictions on Syria.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump described al-Sharaa in positive terms, saying: “I think he’s doing a very good job.” He added that Syria was “a tough neighborhood” and noted progress in relations.
Trump also said the decision to remove sanctions was intended to allow Syria “a fighting shot” at stability.
The policy shift reflects a significant change in U.S.–Syria engagement, though officials have not yet outlined broader diplomatic or economic implications.
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