U.S. Removes Syria from Terrorism Sponsor List: Path to Economic Recovery Opens

The United States officially removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism on Monday. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced this significant change, stating that it eliminates the last major obstacles to investment and economic improvement in Syria.

Rubio made the decision following a 45-day mandatory congressional notification period. President Donald Trump began this process in July by informing Congress that Syria had stopped supporting international terrorism.

“I have also lifted Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham’s (HTS) designation as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist,” Rubio confirmed.

Syria’s removal from the terrorism list represents a major diplomatic win, as it clears key investment barriers.

Rubio stated the actions are “another historic step by President Trump to provide a path to prosperity for the Syrian people.” Washington has taken steps over the past year to ease sanctions on Syria.

Trump’s executive order from June 2025, titled “Providing for the Revocation of Syria Sanctions,” accelerated these changes. It ended the Syria Sanctions Program and the national emergency regarding Syria. This order also required reviews of other Syria-related sanctions.

“These actions were taken due to positive steps and further promises by Syria’s government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa to completely remove itself from international terrorism activities,” Rubio explained.

President Ahmed al-Sharaa took power in December 2024, displacing Bashar al-Assad with the help of HTS rebels. Syria had been labeled as a State Sponsor of Terrorism since 1979.

“In the past year, the Syrian government has made major advances in counterterrorism,” Rubio noted. This includes joining the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and conducting operations against terror groups like ISIS, al-Qa’ida, Hizballah, and Iran-aligned networks.

Eliminating Syria’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism opens the door for private investment and supports Syria’s economic reintegration globally.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani indicated in August that removing the designation would improve Syria’s global financial ties and encourage investment after almost 14 years of conflict.

“There is no longer any obstacle to investment, business, and rebuilding Syria’s economic life,” al-Shibani conveyed.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that this move will promote further investment and align with President Trump’s commitment to provide sanctions relief to Syria.

The Central Bank of Syria’s governor declared the removal of Syria’s terrorist designation a “historic step” that restores Syria to its rightful place in the global economic framework.

President Trump highlighted this development on Truth Social with a photo of al-Sharaa and al-Shibani holding the June 2025 executive order.

Countries like Cuba, Iran, and North Korea still remain on the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism.

Emma Bussey writes for Fox News Digital and has worked at The Telegraph, covering various areas including foreign and political news.