The United States has removed Syria from its State Sponsors of Terrorism list, ending a designation that had been in place since 1979. The decision followed a 45-day congressional review after President Donald Trump announced the planned removal in July.
Cuba, Iran and North Korea are now the only countries remaining on the US list. Syria’s removal follows the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024 and a shift in Washington’s relationship with the country.
Why Washington removed Syria
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Syria’s government gave formal assurances that it would not support acts of international terrorism in the future. Washington has also praised cooperation between President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s government and the United States against ISIL, also known as ISIS.
The designation was imposed under Hafez al-Assad’s government and remained throughout Bashar al-Assad’s rule. Al-Sharaa’s forces led the rebel offensive that overthrew Bashar al-Assad in December 2024; Bashar al-Assad and members of his family fled to Moscow, where they are under supervisory asylum. For additional context, see “What secondary sanctions mean for countries trading with Iran”.
What the designation had restricted
The State Sponsors of Terrorism designation triggered restrictions on foreign assistance, defence exports, some financial transactions and transfers of certain dual-use goods, which can have military applications.
The designation could also make banks and companies reluctant to do business with a country because of legal and compliance risks. Rubio said removing Syria from the list could help unlock international trade and investment and support reconstruction, after the United States dismantled its broader Syria sanctions programme in 2025.
The three countries still designated
Iran has been on the list since 1984. The United States accuses Tehran of supporting armed groups including Hezbollah in Lebanon, Yemen’s Houthi group and groups in Iraq and Syria. The designation has contributed to sanctions on Iran’s government, financial system, military and oil industry. A related part of this story is covered in “Syria clears a major US sanctions barrier as delisting takes effect”.
Cuba was first listed in 1982 over US accusations that it supported armed revolutionary groups. Barack Obama removed it in 2015, but Donald Trump restored the designation in January 2021. Joe Biden’s administration announced an intention to remove Cuba in January 2025, but Trump reversed that decision after returning to office.
North Korea was added in 1988, largely because of its role in the 1987 bombing of Korean Air Flight 858, which killed all 115 people aboard. The United States removed it in 2008 during nuclear negotiations and restored it in 2017. It remains subject to extensive sanctions linked to its nuclear and missile programmes, weapons proliferation and other security concerns.
How the list differs from other US sanctions
The State Sponsors of Terrorism list is separate from other US sanctions programmes. Russia is heavily sanctioned over its war in Ukraine but has not been placed on the terrorism list, despite calls from some US lawmakers. The development of this issue can be followed in “Iran threatens retaliation as US prepares new economic sanctions”.
Venezuela also faces extensive sanctions, including measures targeting its leaders and oil industry. The United States has issued temporary waivers allowing some business in Venezuela’s oil, mining and financial sectors, but those waivers can be cancelled.
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