Overview

• President Donald Trump announced the removal of all U.S. sanctions on Syria during a visit to Saudi Arabia, signaling a significant policy shift after 45 years of restrictions.
• The move follows the December 2024 overthrow of Bashar al-Assad by a coalition led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham and the establishment of an interim government under Ahmed al-Sharaa.
• Syrians celebrated the announcement with street gatherings and fireworks, as the Syrian pound showed immediate signs of recovery against the dollar.
• The sanctions' removal is expected to accelerate humanitarian aid, facilitate investments from Gulf countries, and support the reconstruction of war-torn infrastructure.
• Experts caution that the multi-layered sanctions framework will require detailed regulatory and congressional processes to fully unwind, with potential challenges tied to Syria's governance and security concerns.