Payam Javan: The United States has granted sanctions relief to Syria to support its economic recovery after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, following President Donald Trump’s announcement during his Middle East tour. The Treasury Department issued General License 25, authorizing transactions with Syria’s new government, financial sector, and petroleum services, including with interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, previously sanctioned as Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani. This move aligns with Trump’s “America First strategy” to foster investment and private sector growth in Syria, while the State Department’s 180-day Caesar Act waiver facilitates aid and infrastructure development. The U.S. aims to support a stable, peaceful Syria that does not harbor terrorist groups.

The decision follows Trump’s meeting with al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia on May 14, where he emphasized Syria’s need to act on key policy priorities to maintain sanctions relief. The Syrian Foreign Ministry welcomed the decision, which comes alongside the European Council’s move on May 20 to lift its own economic sanctions to aid Syria’s rebuilding efforts. The U.S. also plans to re-establish diplomatic relations with Syria, which has been designated a state sponsor of terrorism since 1979, with additional sanctions imposed in 2011 due to Assad’s crackdown on protesters, sparking a 13-year civil war ended by rebel groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.