politics
United States to Remove Syria from State Sponsors of Terrorism List Despite Lack of Peace Deal with Israel
The United States will delist Syria as a state sponsor of terrorism effective in 45 days unless Congress blocks the move. Secretary of State Marco Rubio notified lawmakers on July 8, 2026, after President Donald Trump met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Ankara.
Jul 8, 3:27 PM·1m read7 sources
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The United States will remove Syria from the State Department's list of state sponsors of terrorism, Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed Congress on July 8, 2026. The change ends a designation first imposed in 1979 and takes effect in 45 days unless lawmakers block it.
President Donald Trump made the decision public during a July 8 meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey.
Trump said he would remove the designation and praised al-Sharaa's efforts. "He's doing an unbelievable job in unifying Syria. What a job he's doing," Trump stated. " Rubio described the move as a step toward rebuilding.
"Lifting sanctions on Syria will unlock international trade and investment, give Syria a chance to rebuild, and open up a new chapter for the Syrian people," he said. Rubio added that a stable Syria benefits the region and the world. "This is yet another historic step by President Trump to give the Syrian people a chance at greatness," Rubio stated.
The delisting follows the 2024 overthrow of the Assad government. It comes after Trump began easing most sanctions on Syria a year earlier at the urging of Turkey and Saudi Arabia.
