U.S. President Donald Trump has informed Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa that he intends to remove Syria from the United States' list of state sponsors of terrorism, a move that could pave the way for greater foreign investment and deeper economic engagement with Washington.
According to a letter seen by Reuters, Trump told Sharaa that his administration was working to eliminate obstacles that have hindered Syria's recovery after years of conflict.
“I promised to remove all barriers stopping you from rebuilding your country, and very soon, you will finally be able to do so,” Trump wrote.
The letter was delivered to Sharaa following a meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, according to a senior U.S. administration official.
Trump also said American businesses were ready to play a role in Syria's reconstruction.
“We have U.S. companies ready to invest in Syria and help make your country greater and more prosperous than ever before,” he wrote.
The U.S. president said he had formally notified Congress of the decision. Under U.S. law, lawmakers will now conduct a 45-day review period before the removal can take effect.
Syria's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism has long restricted access to U.S. foreign assistance, defence exports and certain financial transactions. Removing the designation would represent one of the most significant shifts in U.S.-Syria relations in decades.
Syrian Central Bank Governor Safwat Raslan welcomed the move, saying it would support economic recovery and help reintegrate Syria into the global economy.
In a Telegram post, Raslan said the decision would open the door to broader investment opportunities and financial cooperation.
The announcement follows a series of steps by the Trump administration aimed at easing Syria's isolation. Last year, Trump signed an executive order terminating a major U.S. sanctions programme on Syria, enabling the country to reconnect with parts of the international financial system.
Several Gulf countries have since moved to support Syria's recovery efforts. Saudi companies are reportedly preparing investments worth billions of dollars, while other regional states have pledged financial assistance.
Trump also used the occasion to praise Sharaa, despite the Syrian leader's past links to Islamist militant groups.
Sharaa previously served as a commander in Syria's al-Qaeda-linked Nusra Front before severing ties with the organisation in 2016. He later led a coalition of Islamist rebel factions that overthrew former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in late 2024.
The U.S. president has backed Sharaa's actions against Islamic State militants and spoken positively about his leadership.
“He's respected by everybody, including me,” Trump said.
If Congress does not block the move during its review period, Syria's removal from the terrorism list would mark a major diplomatic breakthrough for Damascus. It could accelerate efforts to attract foreign investment and rebuild an economy devastated by years of war.
The U.S. military said on Wednesday it launched fresh strikes on Iran to keep the Strait of Hormuz open to shipping, triggering Iranian attacks on Kuw...
Typhoon Bavi churned southeast of Taiwan in the Pacific Ocean on Thursday, its winds easing overnight to just shy of 200 kph (124 mph), as authorities...
The European Union is exploring ways to support the development of transport routes connecting Armenia and Azerbaijan as part of broader efforts to pr...
The European Union is exploring ways to support the development of transport routes connecting Armenia and Azerbaijan as part of broader efforts to promote lasting peace and regional integration in the South Caucasus, according to EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Magdalena Grono.
A United Nations investigation has concluded that Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) committed atrocities amounting to genocide during their siege and capture of el-Fasher in North Darfur last year, while concern is mounting that similar abuses could be unfolding around al-Obeid.
Russia launched another wave of missile and drone attacks across Ukraine on Wednesday, killing at least nine people and underscoring Kyiv's growing concerns over dwindling supplies of U.S.-made air-defence interceptors.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday ordered an immediate halt to all trade with Spain, dramatically escalating a dispute over defence spending and Madrid's stance during the conflict with Iran.
The U.S. says it has launched strikes on Iran after alleged attacks on three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Washington described the action as a response to threats against civilian shipping and a breach of the ceasefire.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the memorandum of understanding signed with Iran to end the conflict was "over", adding he did not want to engage with Tehran, calling the Iranian leadership "sick people".
NATO leaders are unveiling multi-billion-dollar arms deals in Ankara as President Donald Trump joins the summit, highlighting Europe's increased defence spending amid tensions over Russia and Iran, and following years of U.S. criticism of the alliance.
Mark Rutte, Secretary General of NATO, has described fresh U.S. strikes on Iran as "absolutely necessary," in remarks at the start of the second day of the alliance's sumit in the Turkish capital Ankara.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 8th of July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
China's technology sector is producing billion-dollar startups at its fastest pace in nearly five years, with artificial intelligence and robotics driving a new wave of investment that is reshaping the country's innovation economy.
A United Nations investigation has concluded that Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) committed atrocities amounting to genocide during their siege and capture of el-Fasher in North Darfur last year, while concern is mounting that similar abuses could be unfolding around al-Obeid.
Russia launched another wave of missile and drone attacks across Ukraine on Wednesday, killing at least nine people and underscoring Kyiv's growing concerns over dwindling supplies of U.S.-made air-defence interceptors.
The number of confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo has climbed to 1,759, including 600 deaths, according to government data released on Wednesday.
Mark Rutte, Secretary General of NATO, has described fresh U.S. strikes on Iran as "absolutely necessary," in remarks at the start of the second day of the alliance's sumit in the Turkish capital Ankara.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment