Trump notifies Congress of intent to lift Syria terrorism designation

President Trump notified Congress on July 8, 2026, of the administration's intent to rescind Syria's designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism. The notification initiates a 45-day pre-notification period required before formal rescission.

The designation currently subjects Syria to comprehensive U.S. sanctions that restrict trade, financial transactions, and investment. Rescission would remove these restrictions, allowing U.S. entities to conduct business with Syrian counterparts and enabling access to international reconstruction financing.

Under the prior designation, U.S. law prohibited most commercial activity with Syria and barred Syrian entities from U.S. financial systems. After rescission, those prohibitions end, and U.S. firms may resume transactions without separate licenses for activities previously blocked by the terrorism designation.

The change triggers a statutory requirement for the administration to certify that Syria maintains its commitments against international terrorism support. Congress retains authority to review the rescission during the 45-day window and may pass legislation to block it before the designation is formally lifted.

The June 30, 2025 Executive Order directed sanctions relief for Syria based on counterterrorism actions by the government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa. The State Department stated that formal assurances from Syria not to support acts of international terrorism preceded the July 8 notification.