US Lifts Sanctions on Syria Paving Way for Middle East Peace and Abraham Accords - Faith & Freedom News

In a significant shift in American foreign policy, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to lift long-standing U.S. sanctions on Syria. This decision follows the dramatic fall of the Assad regime late last year and signals a new approach to the region.

The executive order removes a broad set of economic sanctions that had been impacting the Syrian economy. However, it’s important to note that penalties remain in place for former President Bashar al-Assad, his close associates, and those who have violated human rights or international law. Sanctions also continue against ISIS, Iranian proxy groups, and individuals linked to chemical weapons use.

A Path Towards Regional Stability?

President Trump has presented this move as both a humanitarian and strategic step forward. He highlighted “positive actions” taken by Syria’s new interim president, Ahmad al-Sharaa. “A united Syria that does not offer a safe haven for terrorist organizations and ensures the security of its religious and ethnic minorities will support regional security and prosperity,” Trump stated, adding, “The sanctions were brutal and crippling… but now it’s their time to shine. So I say, ‘Good luck, Syria.’ Show us something very special.”

Ahmad al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, was formerly the leader of the Islamist group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which played a key role in the overthrow of the Assad regime in December 2024. Since assuming the presidency, al-Sharaa has sought to project a more Western-friendly image and has worked to distance his government from Iran and extremist ideologies. Despite these efforts, questions remain regarding HTS’s past and the treatment of minority groups under the new leadership.

The White House has made it clear that sanctions could be reimposed if Syria does not meet expectations. “We’re not nation-building,” explained Tom Barrack, U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye and Special Envoy for Syria. “We’re giving them a chance.”

Reassessing Syria’s Status

The executive order also lifts the 2004 emergency declaration on Syria and revokes five previous executive orders connected to it. This move directs Secretary of State Marco Rubio to re-evaluate Syria’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism. Additionally, the State Department will consider removing HTS and al-Sharaa from the U.S. list of Specially Designated Global Terrorists. A 180-day waiver under the Caesar Act has also been issued, allowing time to reassess targeted sanctions related to Assad-era war crimes.

The U.S. Treasury Department has already begun easing restrictions through a general license (GL25), which permits business with the interim Syrian government and its central bank. Export controls and certain foreign assistance limits have also been loosened.

Expanding the Abraham Accords

This significant policy shift comes as the Trump administration intensifies its efforts to expand the Abraham Accords, the landmark diplomatic initiative launched in 2020. The Accords have already fostered peace between Israel, the UAE, Bahrain, and other nations. Syria, historically viewed as a fierce adversary of Israel, is now being considered as a potential new member of this growing coalition.

“This is another promise made and promise kept by President Trump,” stated White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. “He met with Syria’s new president during his Middle East trip, and the world was shocked. But this is how peace begins—with bold steps.”

While some analysts express caution about trusting a government with Islamist origins, others see the potential for a significant realignment that could weaken Iran’s regional influence and bring an end to over a decade of devastating civil war.

Rawan Osman, a Syrian expat and peace activist, shared her insights with ILTV News, expressing her belief that Syria will be the next country to join the Abraham Accords, even before Lebanon. She highlighted how swiftly the rebels overthrew former President Bashar al-Assad, which she sees as a coordinated regional decision to close the corridor between Iran and Hezbollah. While acknowledging that she doesn’t “trust” Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former Al-Qaeda member, and his entourage of former jihadists, she stated, “at the moment, they are the best we have.”

Osman further emphasized that people inside Syria and Lebanon desire peace and collaboration, expressing that they want their countries to resemble Dubai rather than Gaza. She suggested that the Druze communities, who have bravely crossed borders due to family ties, could serve as a model for future working relations between Israel and Syria, highlighting Syria’s desperate need for Israel’s innovation and its regional model.

This executive order represents one of the most consequential foreign policy actions of Trump’s current term, signaling a complete departure from previous administrations’ policies and potentially paving the way for long-term regional peace.