US President Donald Trump has announced his intention to lift longstanding US sanctions on Syria, a surprise declaration made during his ongoing regional tour of the Gulf, which began in Saudi Arabia.
Speaking at an investment forum in Riyadh, Trump said: "I will be ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria in order to give them a chance at greatness. It's their time to shine. We're taking them all off. Good luck Syria, show us something very special."
The remarks come amid reports that Mr Trump is expected to meet with Syria’s interim President, Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa, during his visit to the kingdom. The White House confirmed that the former president would greet Mr al-Sharaa, a controversial figure and former jihadist leader who once headed al-Qaeda’s branch in Syria before severing ties with the group in 2016.
Sources within the Syrian presidency told local media that Mr al-Sharaa would travel to Riyadh for talks with Mr Trump on Wednesday. The potential meeting marks a dramatic shift in US posture towards Syria, which has been under heavy American sanctions since the rule of Bashar al-Assad. The sanctions were retained even after Mr Assad was ousted from power in December following more than 13 years of civil war.
Saudi Arabia has been vocal in recent months about the need to end Syria’s economic isolation, arguing that lifting sanctions is essential to regional stability and reconstruction efforts.
The announcement has already sparked reactions across the region. Lebanon’s President, Joseph Aoun, welcomed the move, calling it "a bold step on Syria's path towards recovery and stability."
Syria’s Foreign Minister, Asaad Shibani, also responded positively, telling Reuters: "We welcome President Trump's remarks. Syria is ready to engage constructively with the international community."
Mr Trump indicated that the decision to pursue sanctions relief came at the request of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, underscoring the growing diplomatic alignment between Washington and Riyadh on regional issues.
The lifting of sanctions would represent a major political boost for Mr al-Sharaa as he seeks to restore international legitimacy and stabilise a war-ravaged nation.
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