During an investment forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on May 13, 2025, President Donald Trump announced his intent to lift sanctions on Syria, stating that sanctions relief will "give them a chance at greatness."
Syria has been one of a small number of countries subject to a comprehensive economic embargo by the U.S. Once sanctions are lifted, opportunities for investments, reconstruction efforts and other business dealings within Syria or with Syrian persons will be increasingly available.
Background
Syria has been the subject of U.S. economic sanctions for several decades, beginning with its designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism in 1979. Since then, a variety of legislative acts (including, for example, the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2003, Syria Human Rights Accountability Act of 2012 and Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019), executive orders (EOs) and other designations have increased the breadth of sanctions prohibitions regarding dealings with Syrian persons or within Syria.
Most notably, in response to human rights abuses by the Bashar al-Assad regime during the Syrian civil war, former President Barack Obama in 2011 issued EO 13582 to impose a comprehensive economic embargo on Syria. This embargo is still in place today.
Since the fall of the Assad regime in 2024, the new Syrian government, led by Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, has reached out to the U.S. to request sanctions relief and deepened ties. Reports indicate that U.S. government officials had delivered a number of conditions to Sharaa's government, which had responded positively in some instances, including with respect to cooperation on counterterrorism issues. During this time, observers speculated that some form of sanctions relief over time seemed possible.
President Trump's Announcement in Riyadh
During an investment forum of the Gulf Cooperation Council in Riyadh, President Trump announced his intent to lift sanctions on Syria, stating, "[I am] ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria to give them a fresh start. It gives them a chance for greatness." President Trump noted that the current sanctions had "served as an important … function" but that it was now "[Syria's] time to shine."
President Trump reportedly met with Sharaa individually afterward and requested Sharaa's assistance on counterterrorism efforts (including efforts to contain the Islamic State group) and diplomatically recognize Israel by joining the Abraham Accords – a series of diplomatic agreements normalizing relations between Israel and several Arab and Muslim states.
The announcement signals that President Trump has determined that Sharaa's government has met enough of the U.S. government's conditions to receive sanctions relief and potentially other increased ties between the nations.
Future Outlook and Implications
Sanctions relief for Syria could ultimately be a step-by-step process. The Syrian Sanctions Regulations are based in a complex web of legal authorities, including the legislative acts described above, along with a variety of EOs and United Nations resolutions. Sanctions founded in EOs, including the comprehensive economic embargo, could be rescinded nearly immediately, while other sanctions could require time and engagement with the U.S. Congress.
For example, relief from sanctions imposed under the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 is limited to 180 days – absent congressional action or the law's expiration. This could limit long-term reconstruction-related investment in areas previously identified as areas where civilians were subject to forced displacement. This could also limit long-term dealings with persons designated under this law's authority.
The rescission of the comprehensive economic embargo – even if other sectoral or list-based sanctions remain in place – would align U.S. sanctions on Syria more closely with other Western governments. The United Kingdom and European Union removed some, but not all, of their sanctions on Syria earlier this year and do not have a comprehensive economic embargo in place.
It is also likely that many restrictions on exports to Syria will be relaxed over time. Currently, virtually all items subject to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) require a license for export to Syria, with certain limited exceptions (for items such as food or medicine). These export controls have historically been designed to align with the broader U.S. embargo and will presumably be relaxed as sanctions are lifted.
President Trump's announcement indicates a future opening of Syria to economic investment, reconstruction efforts and other business transactions as that country aims to rebuild after a years-long civil war destroyed much of its infrastructure. Though no formal actions have been taken as of this writing, businesses and investors seeking to do business should monitor developments and be prepared to act once the Trump Administration formalizes its plans for sanctions relief.
