United States begins exempting Syria from sanctions

(Patria) - The United States Department of the Treasury has issued a license to Syria for immediate sanctions relief after President Donald Trump announced he would lift all sanctions against Syria, Al Arabiya reported.

“Syria must also continue to work towards becoming a stable country that is at peace, and today’s actions will hopefully set the country on a path towards a bright, prosperous, and stable future,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement.

During a visit to Riyadh earlier this month, Trump said he would order the lifting of all sanctions on Syria at the request of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

A day later, Trump met with the interim president of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, which was the first meeting between a US and Syrian head of state since 2000. Trump said al-Sharaa, whom the United States had previously designated as a terrorist, has “real chances to hold everything together” and is “a young, attractive guy, with a very strong past.”

The exemptions do not permit transactions to Russia, Iran, or North Korea, and are intended to help rebuild Syria’s economy, financial sector, and infrastructure, in line with US foreign policy interests, according to the Treasury Department.

The license will allow new private sector investments and activities “in line with the President’s America First strategy.”

Meanwhile, the Treasury Department announced that the State Department will also issue an exemption under the “Caesar Act” that will allow foreign partners, allies, and the region to further unleash Syria’s potential.
“The Assad regime’s brutality towards its own people and its support for terrorism in the region are over, and a new chapter is opening for the Syrian people,” the statement said.

Washington has stated that it is committed to supporting a Syria that is stable, united, and at peace with itself and its neighbors.

“The easing of US sanctions has been extended to the new Syrian government with the understanding that the country will not offer safe haven to terrorist organizations and will ensure the security of its religious and ethnic minorities. The US will continue to monitor Syria’s progress and developments on the ground,” it stated.