The Trump administration is moving toward lifting sanctions on Syria, but officials caution that coordinating between government agencies means the process will take longer than initially expected.
The US State Department clarified Thursday that President Donald Trump’s order to lift sanctions on Syria will not be immediate, emphasizing the complexity of coordination among multiple government agencies.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce told reporters that while the president’s directive signals a shift in US policy, the actual removal of sanctions involves departments like the Treasury and requires careful interagency cooperation.
“Sanctions are administered through different departments in this country,” Bruce explained. “The president’s message is clear to reverse our dynamic, but it is a process that will take some time.”
Bruce added that the administration recognizes the urgency and is working to expedite the process. “It will be done quickly, and certainly more quickly than we're used to.”
Last week, Trump announced his intention to lift what he called “brutal and crippling” sanctions on Syria, following requests from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Trump subsequently met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia, the first such meeting between US and Syrian leaders in 25 years.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed support for efforts to stabilize Syria’s new government, warning that failure could trigger renewed civil war and regional instability. “We want to help that government succeed because the alternative is full-scale civil war and chaos,” Rubio told a Senate committee.
More than 2 million Syrian refugees and internally displaced persons have returned to their homes since December, according to the UN refugee agency, which emphasized the urgent need for a political resolution to prevent renewed instability.
Iraq has officially reopened the Qaim border crossing with Syria, allowing trade and passenger traffic to resume in a key step toward restoring economic and diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Forced displacement worldwide has hit a record 122.1 million, driven by conflicts in Sudan, Ukraine, and beyond, as humanitarian needs soar.
Türkiye’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, has announced that Turkish low-cost carrier AJet will begin operating regular flights to Damascus later this month.
From Sofia to Syria, a tale of fake leaks, forged documents, and one target: Azerbaijan.
Egypt’s first integrated solar and battery storage plant will deliver dispatchable clean energy, enhance grid stability and manage peak demand. The project is expected to generate approximately 3,000 GWh of clean energy and avoid up to 1.4 million metric tonnes of emissions per year.
Israel’s sweeping surprise attack on Iran last week marked a major escalation in tensions, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declaring it had “struck at the head of Iran’s nuclear weaponization program.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday that Ukraine “will have to understand and accept” the post-war realities, as Moscow signals openness to a third round of peace negotiations with Kyiv.
Israel has confirmed it carried out airstrikes on Iran’s only operational nuclear power plant in Bushehr, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict.
European foreign ministers are set to meet Iran’s top diplomat in Geneva for urgent nuclear talks amid growing fears that the Israel-Iran conflict could spiral into a broader regional war.
Peace is no longer a dream. It is a discussion. On the streets of Baku and Yerevan, it is also a question, of trust, of foreign interests, and of who truly wants it.
Israeli strikes have reportedly targeted areas near the residences of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to the New York Times, citing local witnesses.
Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) has cancelled certain flights scheduled for 13th and 14th June amid recent escalation of situation in the Middle East and the closure of airspace in several countries for security reasons.
The 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit was held June 15–17 in Kananaskis, Alberta, under Canada’s presidency. Prime Minister Mark Carney framed the meeting around priorities of protecting communities, energy and climate security, the digital transition, and future partnerships.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 17th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Iran's foreign minister is expected in Istanbul on Saturday for a key Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) council meeting as regional tensions rise over Israel's strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
The US Embassy in Qatar has temporarily barred its personnel from entering Al Udeid Air Base due to rising regional tensions linked to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.
The World Bank has approved a $640 million loan to Bangladesh to help improve gas supply security and reduce dangerous air pollution in urban areas.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday that Ukraine “will have to understand and accept” the post-war realities, as Moscow signals openness to a third round of peace negotiations with Kyiv.
Israel has confirmed it carried out airstrikes on Iran’s only operational nuclear power plant in Bushehr, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict.
Egypt’s first integrated solar and battery storage plant will deliver dispatchable clean energy, enhance grid stability and manage peak demand. The project is expected to generate approximately 3,000 GWh of clean energy and avoid up to 1.4 million metric tonnes of emissions per year.
Israel’s sweeping surprise attack on Iran last week marked a major escalation in tensions, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declaring it had “struck at the head of Iran’s nuclear weaponization program.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday that Ukraine “will have to understand and accept” the post-war realities, as Moscow signals openness to a third round of peace negotiations with Kyiv.
Israel has confirmed it carried out airstrikes on Iran’s only operational nuclear power plant in Bushehr, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict.
European foreign ministers are set to meet Iran’s top diplomat in Geneva for urgent nuclear talks amid growing fears that the Israel-Iran conflict could spiral into a broader regional war.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment