US Treasury: Final decision to lift sanctions on Syria is taking effect

The US Treasury Department announced on Monday the removal of sanctions imposed on Syria from the federal legal code, confirming that the decision will take effect on Tuesday.

President Trump issued Executive Order 14312 on June 30, lifting sanctions on Syria without easing them for certain entities, as the order went into effect on July 1.

In an official statement, the Treasury explained that this step came after US President Donald Trump confirmed fundamental changes in the situation inside Syria, pointing to what he described as “positive measures” taken by the new Syrian government headed by President Ahmed al Sharaa.

Despite this decision, the ministry stressed that sanctions will remain in place against individuals and entities involved in human rights violations, particularly those linked to the use of chemical weapons, as well as organizations designated as terrorist.

The Treasury Department’s announcement came following remarks by President Trump during a meeting with reporters, in which he confirmed that he had decided to lift sanctions on Syria to give it an opportunity to grow and move forward.

Trump indicated that his decision was not unilateral, but rather came in response to a request from friendly countries in the region, without identifying them.

Asked about the possibility of Syria joining the Abraham Accords, which normalize relations between Arab countries and Israel, Trump replied: “I don’t know if Syria will join, but we have given them the opportunity to decide their own path”.

The lifting of sanctions comes at a time when Syria is undergoing significant political transformations with a change in leadership.

Expectations are that the new government will play a more open role in regional and international affairs, especially in light of mounting pressure from some Arab capitals to reintegrate Damascus into the regional and international order.