US issues orders easing Syria sanctions after Trump pledge

24/5/2025 13:41

The United States on Friday took the first steps toward lifting sanctions on Syria after President Donald Trump said his administration would unwind them.



The Treasury Department issued a general license that authorizes transactions involving the interim Syrian government led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, as well as the central bank and state-owned enterprises.



A State Department official said, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also issued a 180-day waiver of sanctions against Syria under the Caesar Act to ensure that sanctions do not impede Syria's recovery and reconstruction efforts.



U.S. sanctions were imposed on the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and key individuals in 2011 after civil war erupted there. Sharaa led militias that overthrew Assad in December.



The Treasury said in a statement that the general license, known as GL25, "authorizes transactions prohibited by the Syrian Sanctions Regulations, effectively lifting sanctions on Syria."