Trump lifts U.S. sanctions on Syria, orders review of terrorism designation

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order ending the sanctions program against Syria effective July 1, the White House said late Monday.

Trump also instructed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to review Syria’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism.

"The order ends sanctions to support Syria’s path toward peace and stability," the statement said. Sanctions on President Bashar al-Assad, his associates, human rights violators, drug traffickers, and those linked to chemical weapons programs remain in place.

On May 4, Trump met with Syria’s interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh, marking the first high-level contact between the two nations in 25 years.