In a landmark decision, U.S. President Donald Trump has removed Syria from the state sponsors of terrorism list, providing the country with a massive relief after 47 years. The designation, in place since 1979, officially ended following a 45-day congressional review period after President Trump announced his intent to rescind the status in July. The move went into effect on Monday.
This key geopolitical shift follows the fall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024. The current administration, led by President Ahmed al-Shara, has been actively working to restore international relations and attract foreign investments for national reconstruction. President al-Shara welcomed the U.S. decision during a Tuesday address, calling it the closure of a difficult chapter. “Today, Syria has washed away a dark stain, ending a chapter of a painful past and moving forward toward development, reconstruction, and nation-building,” he stated.
Being on the U.S. state sponsors of terrorism list subjects nations to severe economic and legal sanctions, restricting foreign aid, defense exports, dual-use goods transfers, and financial transactions. These restrictions often prompt international banks and global corporations to avoid conducting business due to legal and regulatory risks. Syria was initially added to the list in 1979 under President Hafez al-Assad due to alleged support for armed groups fighting Israel a designation that persisted throughout his son Bashar al-Assad’s rule.
The latest decision removes major obstacles for Syria to re-enter international financial markets and attract foreign capital. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noted that the move will foster additional investments promoting political and economic stability in Syria. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in July that the U.S. received official assurances from President al-Shara that Syria will not support international terrorism moving forward, alongside ongoing counterterrorism cooperation against ISIS networks between Washington and the new Syrian government. Furthermore, alongside removing Syria from the terror list, the U.S. also lifted the global terrorist organization designations on Al-Nusra Front and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
With Syria’s removal, only three countries remain on the U.S. State Sponsors of Terrorism list:
Iran: Listed since 1984, facing broad sanctions targeting its government, financial institutions, military, and oil sector.
Cuba: First listed in 1982, removed in 2015 under President Barack Obama, and re-designated by President Donald Trump in January 2021.
North Korea: Added following the 1988 Korean Air Flight 858 bombing which killed 115 people, removed in 2008, and re-added in 2017.
Ending nearly five decades of isolation, this decision provides Damascus with crucial relief as it seeks to reintegrate into the global economy, revive trade, and secure foreign investment.
