US.President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday to lift long-standing sanctions on the Syrian government.
However, sanctions against former Syrian President Bashar Assad and other individuals or groups destabilizing the region remain in place.
The decision lifts a national emergency declared in 2004 and five related orders, according to a senior Trump administration official.
The order also eases restrictions such as law-based sanctions, export controls and other limitations, particularly on Syrian state institutions such as the central bank.
While only Congress can fully lift the sanctions package established by the 2019 Syria Civilian Protection Act, Trump had already issued waivers for some parts of those sanctions earlier this year and is now looking for ways to further lift them with the new order.
Some of the sanctions affected by the measure date back to 1979.
“Today’s action will help reintegrate Syria’s economy into global trade and rebuild the country’s infrastructure,” said Scott Bessent, the U.S. Treasury Secretary.
He stressed that the Syrian government must continue working to build a stable, unified country at peace with its neighbors.
“I hope that the United States’ actions will bring relief to the Syrian people and give the country a chance to prosper,” he added.
Sanctions in Syria have been lifted pic.twitter.com/J5eRdewdWk
? Mossad Commentary (@MOSSADil) July 1, 2025
A Chance for Peace
Thomas Barrack, the U.S. special envoy for Syria and ambassador to Turkey, is optimistic.
“None of this happens on its own,” he said.
“With what’s happening between Israel and Iran, we have a unique opportunity.
It’s a window that’s never existed before for diplomacy in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq.”
Rather than gradually easing sanctions, Trump has opted to lift them more broadly, U.S. officials said.
“Removing sanctions gradually and monitoring progress simply does not work,” said another senior administration official.
He explained that imposing conditions on a government can create frustration and hinder progress.
Current Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, who is still considered a terrorist by the United States, has indicated that he has no hostility toward Israel and is open to talks, according to information from informal diplomatic channels.
Building Trust
To encourage Syria to normalize relations with Israel, the U.S. administration believes it must offer economic benefits and promote peace and prosperity.
“Historically, Syria has been a major hub on the Silk Road, a hub of global trade, multiculturalism and entrepreneurship,” said Brad Smith, acting undersecretary of the Treasury for terrorism and financial intelligence.
“Today’s actions will end Syria’s isolation in the international financial system and global trade.”
Regarding the dispute over control of the Golan Heights, on the border between Israel and Syria, the American official said that the border lines drawn in the past (in 1948, 1967 or 1974) are “illusions”.
He suggested that the focus should not be on disputing territories, but on seeking peaceful coexistence, as in the model of the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt.
“We need to build trust, day by day”, he said.
The problem, according to him, is not the border line itself, but the lack of trust between the sides.
“If there is no trust, tensions will continue, no matter where the line is.”
Sanctions maintained against Assad and others
The executive order ensures that sanctions against Bashar Assad, his allies, terrorists, traffickers of weapons of mass destruction and those involved in drug trafficking (especially the drug Captagon) remain in force.
These measures are based on an existing national emergency, and the U.S. Treasury will use this authority to maintain sanctions against these destabilizing actors.
“While we are hopeful for the future of Syria and its new government, we also know that threats to peace remain,” said Brad Smith.
“The United States will remain vigilant to protect our interests and the security of the international financial system.”
“This is a time to give peace a chance,” concluded one Trump administration official.
Published in 07/01/2025 01h13
Text adapted by AI (Grok) and translated via Google API in the English version. Images from public image libraries or credits in the caption.
Reference article:
| Geoprocessing Drone Systems HPC |
| ERP and CRM Systems Mobile Systems AI |