Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa greets Donald Trump as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman looks on, Riyadh, May 14, 2025

UPDATE, JULY 6:

The UK has re-established diplomatic ties with Syria.

Foreign Minister David Lammy made the announcement during the first visit to Syria by a British minister in 14 years.

Lammy met President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Foreign minister Asaad al-Shaibani.

The Foreign Minister said a “stable Syria is in the UK’s interests”.

I’ve seen first-hand the remarkable progress Syrians have made in rebuilding their lives and their country. After over a decade of conflict, there is renewed hope for the Syrian people.

The UK is re-establishing diplomatic relations because it is in our interests to support the new government to deliver their commitment to build a stable, more secure, and prosperous future for all Syrians.

The UK Foreign Office has announced a £94.5 million ($129 million) support package for urgent humanitarian aid and support of long-term recovery, after most British sanctions against Syria were lifted in April.

ORIGINAL ENTRY, JULY 1: The Trump Administration has lifted some sanctions on Syria, almost seven months after the fall of the Assad regime.

Donald Trump signed an executive order confirming his announcement from mid-May during a visit to Saudi Arabia, where he briefly met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

The order cancelled sanctions from 2004 that froze Syrian government property and limited exports to Syria over the Assad regime’s chemical weapons program.

Some Assad-era sanctions remain, notably those under the “Caesar Act” of 2019 which targeted the regime’s mass killings, detentions, and torture of civilians.

The order directs Secretary of State Marco Rubio to evaluate suspending the Caesar sanctions under the Caesar Act, to permit the relaxation of control on the export of “certain goods”, and to lift restrictions on some foreign aid. Rubio will also review al-Sharaa’s designation as a terrorist leader and Syria’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, and consider measures for sanctions relief through the UN.

Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani said:

We welcome the cancellation of the majority of the sanctions program imposed on the Syrian Arab Republic, pursuant to the historic executive order issued by President Trump.

By removing this major obstacle to economic recovery, the doors to long-awaited reconstruction and development are opened, along with the rehabilitation of vital infrastructure, providing the necessary conditions for the dignified and safe return of displaced Syrians to their homeland.

The White House said the order will aid efforts to “address foreign terrorists”, promote the normalization of ties with Israel, and prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State.

It noted that pressure will be maintained on Bashar al-Assad and his entourage.

At the end of May, the European Union lifted all sanctions on Syria while extending measures against Assad and individuals and entities linked to the regime.

See also US and EU Lift Sanctions on Syria