The United States officially delisted Syria from its roster of state sponsors of terrorism, a decision Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated would clear significant obstacles to economic recovery and investment within the nation.
In a formal statement, Rubio confirmed his authorization of the rescission, which followed the conclusion of a mandatory 45-day notification period for Congress.
This process began in July, when President Donald Trump initiated the required countdown after informing Congress that the Syrian government had ceased its support for acts of international terrorism.
Additionally, Rubio announced on Monday the removal of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) from its designation as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).
He characterized these measures as "another historic step by President Trump to give the Syrian people a path to prosperity."
US Policy Shift and Economic Implications
Rubio further noted that Washington had undertaken significant, unprecedented actions over the preceding year to provide sanctions relief to the Syrian populace.
He highlighted President Trump’s executive order from June 2025, titled "Providing for the Revocation of Syria Sanctions," which expedited relief by ending the Syria Sanctions Program and the national emergency concerning Syria. The order also mandated reviews of other existing Syria-related sanctions and terrorist designations.
Regarding the Syrian government, Rubio stated, "These actions were all taken in recognition of the positive actions taken and further commitments by the Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa to fully distance Syria from acts of international terrorism."
President Ahmed al-Sharaa assumed power in December 2024, following an offensive led by HTS rebels that deposed President Bashar al-Assad. Syria had been included on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list since 1979, a designation that remained in effect throughout al-Assad’s leadership.
Syria's New Leadership and Counterterrorism Efforts
Rubio elaborated, stating that "In the past year, the Government of Syria has taken significant steps to counterterrorism, to include formally joining the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in November and conducting operations to disrupt the terror networks of ISIS, al-Qa’ida, Hizballah, and Iran-aligned groups."
He emphasized that removing Syria’s classification as a state sponsor of terrorism, along with HTS’s designation as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, "eliminates the final major barriers for private-sector investment in Syria and promotes Syria’s economic recovery and reintegration into the global economy."
International Reactions and Future Outlook
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani conveyed to Reuters on August 22 that lifting the designation would facilitate the restoration of Syria’s connections to the international financial system and stimulate investment following nearly 14 years of conflict.
"There is no longer any obstacle to investment, doing business and rebuilding economic life in Syria," he asserted.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also issued a statement, remarking that "Today’s action will help foster additional investment in Syria to promote political and economic stability," and further noting that it aligns "with President Trump’s promise to deliver sanctions relief to Syria."
The Governor of the Central Bank of Syria described the removal of Syria’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism on Monday as a "historic step that returns it to its natural place within the global economic system."
On Monday, President Trump shared an image on Truth Social depicting al-Sharaa and al-Shibani holding his signed executive order from June 2025, which directed sanctions relief for Syria.
Currently, Cuba, Iran, and North Korea are the only three nations that remain designated by Washington as state sponsors of terrorism.
