US could remove Syria from 'state sponsors of terror list' as EU eases sanctions

The US is looking to lift Syria's designation as a 'state sponsor of terrorism' as part of broader sanctions relief measures, The New Arab's  Arabic-language sister site, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, reported on Thursday.

An informed source told the website that the Trump administration has been discussing the matter in recent weeks, and that concrete steps are being taken. Syrian-American Council head Farouk Bilal also told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that Syria's removal from the list is being discussed, adding that a decision "will be made soon".

Bilal said the lifting of the remaining sanctions on Syria comes within the framework of a new US policy towards the country following the fall of the Assad regime. This has seen the Treasury cancel some penalties on Syrian individuals and entities in the new government, while the Caesar Act has also been suspended.

The US State Department could notify Congress of its intent to remove Syria from the 'state sponsors of terrorism' list, which would give the legislature 45 days to object. If no objection is given, Syria would be removed from the blacklist.

Syria was included in the United States' first state 'sponsors of terrorism list' in 1979 and is the only country to remain on the list since then.

The current list also includes Iran, North Korea, and Cuba, which was added by US President Donald Trump in 2021.

Countries on the list are restricted from receiving US foreign assistance, a ban on defence exports and sales, controls on exports of dual-use civilian and military items, and various financial restrictions. Individuals and states are also prohibited from engaging in certain types of trade with countries on the US 'state sponsors of terrorism' list.

Damascus' new rulers hope that the removal of sanctions will help open a new era for Syria, which has been torn apart by 14 years of war. After toppling President Bashar al-Assad in December, the government of interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa has started to focus on reconstruction and development, after initially prioritising security.

On Wednesday, the European Union adopted legal acts lifting "all restrictive measures on Syria, with the exception of those based on security grounds", following a 20 May decision to lift sanctions.

The European Council will also remove an EU funds' freeze on 24 Syrian entities including the Central Bank of Syria and "companies operating in key sectors for Syria’s economic recovery - such as oil production and refining, cotton, and telecommunications- while others are media and tv outlets".

"This decision is simply the right thing to do, at this historic time, for the EU to genuinely support Syria’s recovery and a political transition that fulfils the aspirations of all Syrians. The EU has stood with the Syrian people throughout the last 14 years, and it will continue to do so," the EU said in a statement.

"Today the EU reaffirms its commitment as a partner for the transition, one that helps the Syrian people to reunite and rebuild a new, inclusive, peaceful Syria.

In line with its call for accountability and support for a peaceful transition in Syria, the Council has extended sanctons' listings of individuals and entities linked to the Assad regime until 1 June 2026.

The Council also introduced new restrictive measures under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, targeting two individuals and three entities who are linked to a wave of violence that took place in Syria’s coastal region in March 2025 for serious human rights abuses.

This article is based on a report from Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.