Trump Notifies Congress of Decision to Delist Syria as Terror State

President Donald Trump notified Congress on July 8, 2026, of his intent to remove Syria from the U.S. list of State Sponsors of Terrorism, a designation the country had held since 1979. The decision follows a meeting between Trump and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Türkiye. Under U.S. law, the rescission is subject to a 45-day congressional review period before taking effect.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the move responds to counterterrorism actions and formal assurances from al-Sharaa that Syria will not support international terrorism. Trump praised al-Sharaa's efforts to unify the country following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad government in December 2024. In a letter to the Syrian leader, Trump committed to removing barriers to reconstruction and noted that American companies are ready to invest in the country's long-term growth.

Syrian officials, including Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani and Central Bank Governor Safwat Raslan, welcomed the announcement as a way to reintegrate Syria into the global economy. While some sanctions like the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act remain, the delisting removes a primary legal barrier for international banks and firms. Regional powers, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as the Gulf Cooperation Council, endorsed the move as a step toward regional stability. During the summit, Trump also suggested Syria could assist in addressing the issue of Hezbollah to facilitate an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon.