The Trump administration stated on July 8 that it will remove Syria’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, marking a significant step as the country regains stability and starts rebuilding relations with the United States.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that U.S. President Donald Trump notified Congress of the designation change after Trump said he would likely remove the designation during a July 8 meeting in Turkey.
Rubio described the move as a “historic step” since Syria had remained on the state sponsors of terrorism list since 1979, the longest period of any nation to remain on the list.
The removal of the terrorism designation came after the administration previously provided economic sanctions relief for Syria.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) urged the Trump administration last week to remove Syria’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism.
The lawmakers said the basis for the designation no longer applied following the fall of the Assad regime in 2024.
They said the designation would hinder Syria’s economic recovery and counterterrorism cooperation with the United States if it were not removed.
Rubio said the administration intends to remove Syria’s current designation as a state sponsor of terrorism following a 45-day pre-notification period.
“Lifting sanctions on Syria will unlock international trade and investment, give Syria a chance to rebuild, and open up a new chapter for the Syrian people,” he said.
“A stable, unified Syria at peace with itself and its neighbors benefits not only the region, but the entire world.”
The secretary of state said the Trump administration’s decision to remove Syria’s designation as a sponsor of terrorism followed positive changes and counterterrorism actions taken by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s government.
He said al-Sharaa has also provided formal assurances that Syria would not support acts of international terrorism in the future.
Rubio said the removal of Syria’s terrorism designation was a “significant milestone” in the revived relationship between the United States and Syria.
He commended the Syrian government for “charting a new course” under al-Sharaa.
The Assad regime had ruled Syria since 1970.
The United States removed a $10 million bounty on al-Sharaa in December 2024.
The bounty had been placed on al-Sharaa, previously known as Abu Muhammad al-Golani and Muhammad al-Julani, for his role in founding the Al-Nusra Front.
The Al-Nusra Front was an al-Qaeda affiliate, which was the Islamist terrorist group founded by Osama bin Laden.
During a meeting with al-Sharaa on July 8 at the NATO summit in Turkey, Trump was asked whether he would remove Syria from the state sponsor of terrorism list.
“I think I will, yeah. I think I will. Why wouldn’t I? He’s done a great job. Maybe he would have brought that up in a little while,” he said.
The U.S. state sponsor of terrorism list currently includes Syria, Iran, North Korea, and Cuba.
The Treasury Department issued a general license to authorize transactions with the Syrian government, financial sector, and petroleum services.
Trump also signed an executive order in June 2025 to end the Syria sanctions program and “support the country’s path to stability and peace.”
The U.S. president, on July 8, said al-Sharaa had done a “really fantastic job” as president of Syria. He described al-Sharaa as a “strong person” and a “great leader” who is “respected by everybody.”
“He’s unified the country in a very short period of time,” Trump said. “We’re proud of the job he’s doing.”
