The United States has removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, the US Treasury announced on Monday, ending a designation imposed during the rule of the ousted Assad regime.
The Treasury also revoked the designation of al-Nusrah Front, formerly led by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and also known as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, as a global terrorist organisation.
What the decision changes
The state designation had restricted US foreign assistance, defence exports and financial transactions involving Syria. Its removal eliminates a major obstacle to investment as Syria seeks to reconnect with international markets and institutions.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the action was intended to encourage additional investment that could promote political and economic stability. He described it as consistent with President Donald Trump’s promise to provide sanctions relief to Syria.
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How the decision unfolded
The announcement confirmed a decision initially disclosed the previous month. The United States had announced in July that it would delist Syria, citing al-Sharaa’s efforts to unify the country, after lifting sanctions on Syria in June 2025 alongside the European Union.
The revocation of HTS’s designation had been announced earlier in the year pending a review by Congress. HTS was once al-Qaeda’s official branch in Syria and helped remove former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 under al-Sharaa’s leadership.
Why Syrian officials call it significant
Safwat Raslan, governor of Syria’s central bank, called the move a historic step that restores the country to the global economic system. He said the bank was working to build a modern and reliable financial system.
Finance Minister Mohammed Barnieh described the decision as a major success for Syrian diplomacy and said it could support Syria’s integration into the global financial system, attract investment and modern technologies, and expand development opportunities. US envoy to Syria Tom Barrack called the end of the designation a step from isolation towards partnership.
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