The United States Treasury has officially removed Syria from its list of “State Sponsors of Terrorism,” marking a significant shift in diplomatic relations. This move, which follows a decision first revealed last month, revokes a long-standing designation that had been in place since the era of the ousted Assad regime.
Alongside the state delisting, the U.S. has rescinded the designation of the al-Nusrah Front—also known as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)—as a global “terrorist” organization. HTS, which was once the official branch of al-Qaeda in Syria, was led by the current President, Ahmed al-Sharaa. Under al-Sharaa’s leadership, the group successfully ousted former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 following a rapid military offensive.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the action is intended to foster investment and promote political and economic stability within the country. He noted that the decision aligns with President Donald Trump’s commitment to providing sanctions relief to Syria. This follows the lifting of sanctions by both the U.S. and the European Union in June 2025, with the administration citing al-Sharaa’s ongoing efforts to unify the nation as a primary driver for the delisting.
The removal of the state sponsor designation eliminates critical barriers to international financial transactions, defense exports, and foreign assistance. Syrian officials have welcomed the news, viewing it as a pivotal moment for the country’s economic recovery. Safwat Raslan, governor of the Central Bank of Syria, described the move on X as a “historic step” that restores the nation to its rightful place in the global economic system, adding that the bank is actively working to modernize its financial infrastructure.
Syrian Finance Minister Mohammed Barnieh echoed these sentiments, labeling the development a major success for Syrian diplomacy. According to the state news agency SANA, Barnieh emphasized that the decision opens doors for integrating Syria into global markets, attracting modern technology, and securing new development opportunities.
Tom Barrack, the U.S. envoy to Syria, characterized the end of the designation as a decisive milestone. He described Syria’s transition as a “remarkable journey from isolation to partnership,” moving from a perceived source of terrorism to a committed ally in the global effort to combat it. This policy shift follows a series of high-level meetings between al-Sharaa and Western leaders, including President Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, as part of a broader diplomatic outreach.
