In a daring move away from punitive measures and toward diplomatic engagement, President Trump is lifting sanctions on Syria through an executive order. The action keeps the former Assad regime accountable while removing 518 people and organizations from sanctions lists. Giving Syria a chance to recover, fight extremism, and promote Middle East peace are the goals of this strategic policy shift.
Trump’s Syria Strategy Prioritizes Peace and Stability
President Donald Trump will sign an executive order today ending comprehensive sanctions on Syria, signaling a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy toward the Middle Eastern nation. The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is implementing this order to support the Syrian people and their new government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who has taken positive actions that transform the circumstances leading to the original sanctions.
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The executive order revokes previous orders that imposed comprehensive sanctions while maintaining accountability for Bashar al-Assad and his associates. OFAC is removing 518 individuals and entities from the List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN List) under the Syria sanctions program, while keeping sanctions on human rights abusers, captagon traffickers, and terrorist organizations.
Targeted Approach Maintains Pressure on Bad Actors
Despite the broad lifting of sanctions, 139 individuals and entities affiliated with the former Assad regime remain designated under E.O. 13894 and other authorities. Sanctions specifically remain on Bashar al-Assad, his associates, human rights abusers, drug traffickers, ISIS and Al-Qa’ida affiliates, and Iran and its proxies operating in the region.
Trump Signs Executive Order to Lift Sanctions on Syria
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday evening ending most sanctions on Syria which will take effect Tuesday.
Sanctions will remain in place on former President Bashar al-Assad, his aides, Iranian… pic.twitter.com/BSN4xbmal0
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The Treasury Department has issued a general license to authorize transactions with the interim Syrian government, while the State Department has issued a 180-day waiver of sanctions under the Caesar Act. The order also allows for the relaxation of export controls and waives certain foreign assistance restrictions to Syria, creating pathways for humanitarian aid and economic development.
America First Approach to Middle East Peace
President Trump’s decision reflects his America First foreign policy approach, prioritizing stability and peace over the imposition of endless sanctions and conflict. The Secretary of State is directed to review the designations of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and Ahmed al-Sharaa as terrorists, as well as Syria’s status as a State Sponsor of Terrorism, opening doors for potentially normalized relations.
The U.S. aims to support a stable, unified Syria while protecting American interests and monitoring progress on key priorities. These priorities include Syria normalizing ties with Israel, preventing an ISIS resurgence, and reducing Iranian influence in the region—all critical to advancing regional stability and American security interests.
The White House has emphasized that this policy shift aligns with broader U.S. goals to promote peace while still holding accountable those responsible for past atrocities. President Trump’s executive order encourages exploring sanctions relief at the United Nations to further support Syria’s stability. It sends a clear message that America seeks diplomatic solutions rather than perpetual punishment.
Sources:
https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0183
https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2025/06/termination-of-syria-sanctions/