US removes Syria from state sponsors of terrorism list after nearly 47 years

The United States has officially removed Syria from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. The decision took effect on Monday, August 24, after the completion of the review procedure in Congress provided for by US law.

This is indicated by a notice from the US Treasury Department. The State Department had previously announced its intention to lift this designation from Syria, but the final decision could not take effect until Congress completed its review.

Syria had been on the US list of state sponsors of terrorism since December 1979 and was one of the countries that had held this status the longest.

Inclusion on the list entailed serious restrictions, including a ban on certain types of US foreign aid and defense exports, additional restrictions on the supply of dual-use goods, and a number of financial restrictions.

Thus, Washington's decision removes another major legal barrier to economic cooperation and foreign investment in Syria.

The US began significantly easing its sanctions regime against Syria after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime. Back in the summer of 2025, President Donald Trump revoked most US economic sanctions against the country. However, restrictions remained in place against Assad himself and his inner circle, individuals accused of human rights violations and captagon trafficking, as well as those linked to Iran, terrorist organizations, and weapons proliferation programs.

Separately, on August 24, US authorities also removed the designation of “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” from the al-Nusra Front.

Removing Syria from the list of state sponsors of terrorism does not automatically lift all current US restrictions. Some export controls, personal sanctions, and measures against certain organizations and former officials of the Syrian regime remain in effect.

After the removal of Syria, the US list of state sponsors of terrorism still includes Iran, North Korea, and Cuba.

Sources: US Treasury Department, The Jerusalem Post