U.S. Removes Syria from Terrorism Blacklist, Opening Economic Opportunities

The United States formally removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism on Monday. This move, announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is seen as eliminating major barriers to investment and economic recovery in the country.

Rubio authorized the formal rescission after a mandatory 45-day congressional notification period concluded. President Donald Trump set this countdown in motion in July after informing Congress that Syria’s government had stopped supporting acts of international terrorism.

Rubio also announced the removal of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham’s (HTS) designation as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). These actions mark what Rubio described as a “historic step” by President Trump aimed at providing the Syrian people with a path to prosperity.

In the past year, Washington has taken unprecedented measures to provide sanctions relief to Syria. Rubio referenced Trump’s executive order from June 2025 titled “Providing for the Revocation of Syria Sanctions.” This order accelerated relief by terminating the Syria Sanctions Program and the national emergency concerning Syria, while also reviewing other Syria-related sanctions and terrorist designations.

Rubio highlighted the positive changes and further commitments from Syria under President Ahmed al-Sharaa to distance the country from international terrorism. Al-Sharaa ousted previous President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 with support from HTS rebels. Syria had been on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list since 1979 during al-Assad’s tenure.

In recent developments, the Syrian government joined the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in November and conducted operations against terror networks including ISIS, al-Qa’ida, Hizballah, and Iran-aligned groups. These efforts contributed to the U.S.’s decision to rescind Syria’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism and HTS’ designation as a SDGT, removing the final obstacles to private-sector investment and promoting Syria’s economic recovery.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani expressed optimism in an interview with Reuters, stating that lifting the designation would restore Syria’s links to the global financial system and encourage investment following nearly 14 years of conflict. “There is no longer any obstacle to investment, doing business and rebuilding economic life in Syria,” he said.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent echoed these sentiments, indicating that the action aligns with President Trump’s promise to deliver sanctions relief to Syria and foster political and economic stability. The governor of the Central Bank of Syria also called the lifting of Syria’s designation a “historic step” for the country’s return to the global economic system.

On Monday, Trump shared a photo on Truth Social of al-Sharaa and al-Shibani holding his signed executive order from June 2025. This order directed sanctions relief for Syria, signaling a new era for Syrian economic engagement.

While Syria sees progress, Cuba, Iran, and North Korea remain on Washington’s list of state sponsors of terrorism.