President of Syria Ahmed al-Sharaa meets with President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, D.C., on November 10, 2025. Trump on Wednesday announced that he was removing Syria from the state sponsor of terrorism list. File Photo by Syrian Presidency/UPI | License Photo
President Donald Trump informed Congress on Wednesday of his intent to rescind Syria’s decades-old designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, another crucial step signifying Damascus’ transition from international pariah toward diplomatic acceptance.
“This is yet another historic step by President Trump to give the Syrian people a chance at greatness,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement announcing the move.
“Today marks a significant milestone in the revived U.S.-Syria bilateral relationship and in Syria’s history as a nation. We commend the government of Syria for charting a new course and look forward to enhancing our partnership with Syria and its people.”
Washington and Damascus have been forging closer relations since the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, ending the Bashar family’s decades-long hold on the country, and ushering in an interim government led by former jihadist rebel leader-turned-Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Sitting beside al-Sharaa during a press conference held on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Turkey on Wednesday, Trump repeatedly complimented him as “the highly respected president of Syria.”
“He’s a strong person. He’s a great leader. He’s respected by everybody, including me and we’re proud to have him together,” Trump said in Ankara.
Asked by reporters if he intended to remove Syria from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, Trump replied, “I think I will.”
“Why wouldn’t I? He’s done a great job,” Trump said, before turning to Rubio and his other aides, and asking, “Any problems with that?”
“No,” said Rubio with a corresponding headshake.
“Yeah, I will,” Trump told the reporters.
According to the State Department, the notification to Congress opens a 45-day review period before the designation is removed.
Some Democrats have been pushing for Syria’s removal from the list, and they celebrated the announcement Wednesday.
“I’m glad to see @StateDept announce its plans to remove Syria’s SST designation, as I called for last week,” Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a New Hampshire Democrat and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said on X.
Syria was among the first to be designated a state sponsor of terrorism in 1979 over its hostility to Israel, fighting with in Lebanon, partnership with Iran, alignment with Russia, support for terrorist groups and development of weapons of mass destruction, according to a Congressional Research Service report.
The designation applies sanctions that deny those named U.S. foreign assistance, ban them from defense exports and sales, impose certain controls over exports of dual-use items and financial and other restrictions.
Since the fall of al-Assad, Syria’s relations have steadily improved, and the Trump administration in June 2025 signed an executive order ending most U.S. sanctions on Damascus.
Last month, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee advanced legislation to repeal remaining sanctions imposed on Syria over al-Assad’s destabilizing activities in the region.
Safwat Raslan, the governor of the Central Bank of Syria, said they “welcome” the decision to rescind the state sponsor of terrorism designation.
“This marks a positive turning point for Syria’s economic recovery, strengthens confidence and opens the door to greater financial reintegration,” he said in an online statement.
“At the Central Bank of Syria, we remain committed to advancing reforms, safeguarding monetary stability and supporting a prosperous future for the Syrian people.”
