US President Donald Trump, in keeping with a promise he made before his meeting with Syria's new leader Ahmad al-Sharaa in mid-May, signed an order to lift sanctions on Syria imposed by the United States. This was announced in a statement by the US Treasury Department.
According to the White House, this decision is considered a "significant step towards stability and peace."
"As promised by President Trump, the Treasury Department has started the process of lifting the sanctions program against Syria. Today's actions will reconnect Syria's economy with the global trade system and allow the rebuilding of the country's infrastructure," — said US Treasurer Scott Bessent.
The order mentioned the continuation of measures against individuals and groups undermining stability.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asad al-Shaybani welcomed Trump's decision, stating that these measures "pave the way for the long-awaited reconstruction and development."
Which sanctions were lifted?
Trump's order lifted the following sanctions against Syria:
· 13338 (2004) – Blocking Syrian government property;
· 13572 (2011) – Individual sanctions for human rights violations;
· Caesar Act – Penal measures against Syrian officials and their economic partners starting from 2019;
· Additionally, the US Commerce Department will soften export controls for Syria and permits the repeal of previous law-based sanctions related to chemical weapons within 20 days.
Furthermore, the order mentions that crimes from Bashar al-Assad's era will not be forgotten, and sanctions related to human rights violations will remain.
With the new order, not the entire Syrian people, but the following categories of individuals will be subject to sanctions:
· Former officials of the Assad regime and their financial partners;
· Manufacturers and transporters of the Captagon drug;
· Individuals involved in the disappearance of US citizens;
· Those accused of terrorism and their close relatives.
According to the US Treasury Department, 518 individuals and institutions have been removed from the sanctions list, but some penalties will not be lifted immediately.
For example, Trump has instructed US agencies to define criteria for lifting sanctions against Syrian citizens related to war crimes under the "Caesar Act."
Meanwhile, sanctions against Syria's former president Bashar Assad, his family members, and supporters of the overthrown regime who have fled to Russia, remain in force.
