On May 14, 2025, US President Trump unexpectedly announced during his visit to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, May 13, that he would lift sanctions on Syria following the collapse of the Assad regime. He emphasized that this decision would provide Syria with “a great opportunity.”
Trump made this announcement at the Saudi investment forum, stating that he reached this decision after discussions with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
“For years, Syria has suffered greatly from hardship, war, and slaughter. It is for this reason that my administration has taken the first step towards restoring the first normal relations between the US and Syria in over a decade,” he said, further adding that US Secretary of State Pompeo is expected to meet with the Syrian Foreign Minister in Turkey “later this week.”
The Assad regime fell last December, and the new Syrian government has been advocating for Trump to consider lifting sanctions on Syria. Throughout the over ten-year civil war in Syria, US sanctions have severed Syria’s connections to the global financial system and imposed other economic penalties on the Assad government. Experts suggest that without lifting these sanctions, the new government may struggle to lead an economic recovery.
The White House stated that Trump would extend greetings to the new Syrian President, Ahmad al-Sharaa, during his visit to Saudi Arabia and is set to meet with him on Wednesday.
According to reports by Reuters, two sources from the Syrian President’s office revealed that Sharaa would meet with Trump in Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia has been urging the lifting of sanctions on Syria. Trump said he would revoke all sanctions on Syria, citing their past importance but asserting that now is the time for Syria to move forward.
“I will issue orders to halt sanctions on Syria to give them a chance to strive for greatness,” the President stated.
“It’s their time to shine now. We are going to take them all off,” Trump said. “Good luck to Syria, show us something very special.”
Trump also expressed, “Syria has endured so much hardship and death and now has a new government, hoping it can successfully stabilize the country and maintain peace.”
The President also mentioned that his administration would work towards assisting Lebanon in achieving peace and economic development. Earlier this year, Nawaf Salam was appointed as the Prime Minister, and Lebanon has also formed a new government.