Trump lifts sanctions on Syria but restricts Assad's regime

On June 30, 2025, President Donald Trump is expected to finalize an executive order aimed at easing sanctions on Syria. This decision comes after a series of diplomatic engagements that highlighted the need for sanctions relief to support a transitional government in Syria. The interim leadership, including President Ahmed al-Sharaa, has been actively seeking support from the United States since the Assad regime's collapse, which occurred in December 2024 during a major offensive by opposition forces. During his visit to the Middle East in May, President Trump announced a shift in U.S. policy toward Syria, declaring plans for comprehensive sanctions relief. The anticipated order is a response to the urgent requests from Syria's new interim government, which argues that ongoing sanctions have stunted the country’s ability to recover from recent turmoil. In meetings with financial leaders at the IMF and World Bank, Syrian officials blamed international sanctions for the country’s plight, including failures to rebuild critical infrastructure. As part of this restructuring, the U.S. Treasury Department has already begun to roll back certain restrictions that had impeded financial transactions involving Syrian banks and businesses. The intention is to foster an environment conducive to investment and reconstruction efforts in the war-impacted country. Despite the planned easing of sanctions, key restrictions will remain in place, particularly targeting former President Bashar al-Assad and individuals deemed responsible for human rights violations and activities related to terrorism, including links to Iranian proxies and drug trafficking networks. This delineation highlights the complexities within U.S. foreign policy, aiming to promote stability while still holding accountable those responsible for abuses under the Assad regime. Significantly, partnerships with regional allies, particularly Turkey and Saudi Arabia, have grown as these nations express support for normalizing relations with Syria's new leaders. Their involvement is framed by a broader strategy to shift regional alliances and counterbalance Iranian influence, which had gained a foothold during the tenure of Assad. The decision to lift certain sanctions represents a critical juncture in U.S.-Syria relations and signifies a commitment to rebuilding efforts in a country devastated by years of civil conflict.