The US has officially removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, where Damascus has been listed since 1979.
The move was officially finalized by the State Department after a 45-day review period by Congress expired. As reported by Reuters, the decision is the result of secret diplomacy and an agreement with the new Syrian government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, which toppled the Bashar al-Assad regime in late 2024. As part of the pact, Damascus has agreed to drastically limit imports of Russian oil and cooperate in the fight against ISIS.
The news was greeted with triumph in Damascus. Syria's Central Bank and the Finance Ministry said they expected a full and immediate lifting of all remaining economic sanctions imposed by the US and its allies over the years. Central bank chief Safwat Raslan described the decision as a "historic step that brings Syria back into the global financial system" and opens the door to foreign investment and large-scale reconstruction of infrastructure destroyed by the civil war.