The United States Treasury Department has officially removed Syria from its list of “State Sponsors of Terrorism.” This move, confirmed on Monday, revokes a long-standing designation that had been in place since the era of the ousted Assad regime. The decision follows a preliminary announcement made in July and aligns with President Donald Trump’s commitment to providing sanctions relief to the nation.
Alongside the state delisting, the US has revoked the “terrorist” organization designation for Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Formerly known as the al-Nusrah Front, the group was once the official Syrian branch of al-Qaeda. Under the leadership of current President Ahmed al-Sharaa, HTS spearheaded the December 2024 offensive that successfully removed former leader Bashar al-Assad from power.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the action is intended to foster increased investment and promote political and economic stability within Syria. This policy shift follows the lifting of sanctions by the US and the European Union in June 2025. The US government cited President al-Sharaa’s ongoing efforts to unify the country as a primary driver for the decision, which also follows a series of high-level diplomatic engagements between al-Sharaa and Western leaders, including President Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron.
The removal of the terrorism designation eliminates significant barriers to US foreign assistance, defense exports, and international financial transactions. Syrian officials have welcomed the news, with Finance Minister Mohammed Barnieh characterizing the development as a historic success for the nation’s diplomacy. He noted that the move facilitates Syria’s integration into the global financial system, potentially opening doors for new technologies and development opportunities.
Safwat Raslan, governor of Syria’s central bank, echoed these sentiments on social media, describing the delisting as a vital step toward restoring the country’s position in the global economy. He confirmed that the bank is currently focused on establishing a modern and reliable financial framework to support this transition.
Tom Barrack, the US envoy to Syria, framed the policy change as a pivotal moment in the country’s evolution. He described the shift as a “decisive step” in Syria’s transition from a state of international isolation to becoming a committed partner in the global effort to combat terrorism.