US Removes Syria From List of State Sponsors of Terrorism

The United States removed Syria’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism on Aug. 24, eliminating restrictions on investment in the Middle Eastern nation as it reintegrates into the world economy following a major regime change.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the formal rescission of Syria’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism in a statement on Monday. The rescission followed a 45-day pre-notification period that started when President Donald Trump informed Congress of the change on July 8.

“Today, I formally rescinded Syria’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism,” Rubio wrote in a statement on X. “This action unlocks new potential for Syria’s economic revitalization and progress. The Trump Administration continues to advance U.S. national security to achieve peace, prosperity, and security in the Middle East.”

The Trump administration also removed Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, a Sunni Islamist faction, from the list of specially designated global terrorist organizations on Aug. 24.

Rubio said the removal of Syria from the list of state sponsors of terrorism and Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham from the list of specially designated global terrorist organizations represented a “historic step by President Trump to give the Syrian people a path to prosperity.”

The secretary of state added that the removal of the two designations would help support Syria’s economic recovery and would eliminate the “final major barriers” that had previously restricted private sector investment in the country.

Prior to Monday’s official designation change, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani told Reuters he hoped Syria would be able to reconnect to the global financial and economic system. The country’s removal from the state sponsors of terrorism list was the “last obstacle” to “rebuilding economic life” in Syria, he said.

“This step is the result of the transformation brought about by the Syrian people and reflects the new Syrian state’s commitment to international peace and security, as well as to cooperation and partnership with the United States and countries around the world,” al-Shaibani said in a social media statement following Monday’s designation change.

“Under the guidance of President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, we will continue our efforts to overcome the legacy of isolation and foster an environment based on transparency, mutual interests, and respect, in support of development and stability in Syria and the region.”

The United States put Syria on the state sponsors of terrorism list in December 1979 after former Syrian President Hafez al-Assad was accused of supporting terrorist groups. Syria had remained on the list throughout the rule of his son Bashar al-Assad’s regime until al-Sharaa led the Islamist group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham in toppling it in December 2024. Al-Sharaa officially became the president of Syria in January 2025.

In Monday’s statement, Rubio said the Trump administration had taken “unprecedented steps” to provide Syria with sanctions relief. Rubio noted that the sanctions relief followed positive actions and additional commitments made by al-Sharaa’s government to fully distance the country from acts of international terrorism.

Over the past year, the Syrian government formally joined the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and has carried out operations to disrupt ISIS, Al Qaeda, Hezbollah, and other Iran-backed terrorist groups, Rubio said.

In an Aug. 24 statement on X, Tom Barrack, U.S. ambassador to Turkey and Syria special envoy, said the Trump administration’s removal of Syria from the state sponsors of terrorism list was a “foundation stone” in the new relationship between the United States and Syria.

“For too long, this designation was another wall separating the Syrian people from the investment, enterprise, and opportunity necessary to rebuild their nation,” he said. “Today, another wall comes down. Capital can replace conflict, enterprise can replace isolation, and commerce can continue to triumph over chaos.”

During a meeting with al-Sharaa on July 8 at the NATO summit in Turkey, Trump said the Syrian president had done a “really fantastic job” since taking office and was a respected leader.

“He’s unified the country in a very short period of time,” Trump said. “We’re proud of the job he’s doing.”

The Trump administration previously granted sanctions relief to Syria in May 2025 to help it rebuild its economy. A general license authorizing transactions with the Syrian government, petroleum services, and financial sector was issued by the Treasury Department.

Trump also ended the Syrian sanctions program in June 2025 with an executive order.

Reuters contributed to this report.