Trump Moves to Delist Syria After 47 Years as Congress Gets 45-Day Review
Updated
Updated · abcnews.com · Jul 8
Trump Moves to Delist Syria After 47 Years as Congress Gets 45-Day Review
3 articles · Updated · abcnews.com · Jul 8
Summary
Trump said at the NATO summit in Turkey that he will remove Syria from the U.S. state sponsors of terrorism list, ending a designation that has been in place since 1979.
Rubio said the administration notified Congress on Wednesday, triggering a required 45-day review after citing Syria's counterterrorism steps and al-Sharaa's assurances it will not back international terrorism.
Syria's delisting is not expected to face major opposition, though lawmakers pressing for removal have said Ahmed al-Sharaa's government still must improve minority and women's representation and regional security.
The move would clear one of the last major barriers to Syria's return to the international financial system after Trump lifted sanctions in 2025 and Congress later repealed Caesar Act restrictions.
That could open access to U.S. assistance and wider investment in oil, banking, technology and real estate, deepening Washington's rapid reset with a government led by former rebel commander al-Sharaa.