Trump announces plan to lift sanctions on Syria after Assad's fall

ANI May 14, 2025 252 views

Trump has announced plans to lift US sanctions on Syria following the fall of the Assad regime. He framed the move as a step toward peace, citing discussions with Saudi and Turkish leaders. The US will restore diplomatic ties, with Secretary Rubio meeting Syria's foreign minister soon. Trump expressed optimism about Syria's new leadership stabilizing the war-torn country.

"The sanctions were brutal and crippling... but now it's their time to shine." – Donald Trump
Riyadh, May 14: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday declared his intention to lift longstanding American sanctions on Syria, following the fall of the Assad regime late last year, CNN reported.

Key Points

1

Trump links sanctions removal to Syria's post-Assad transition

2

Decision follows talks with MBS and Erdogan

3

US to restore diplomatic ties after decade

4

Secretary Rubio set to meet Syrian FM in Turkey

Speaking at the Saudi-US Investment Forum 2025, Trump said the move would "give them a chance at greatness," and framed it as a step toward peace and progress in a war-torn country.

Trump said the decision came after discussions with both Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/114499706021304117

"Syria, they've had their share of travesty, war, killing in many years," he said, adding that his administration had already begun taking steps to restore normal diplomatic relations with Syria. He emphasised this would mark the first such effort by the US in over a decade.

As part of this process, Trump noted that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to meet Syria's foreign minister in Turkey "later this week," further advancing the thaw between the two nations, reported CNN.

The Assad regime, which collapsed during the final phase of the Biden administration in December, had long been under intense international sanctions. Trump suggested the time had come to turn the page.

"The sanctions were brutal and crippling and served as an important -- really an important function -- nevertheless, at the time," Trump stated. "But now it's their time to shine. So I say, 'Good luck, Syria.' Show us something very special."

Trump expressed optimism that the country's new leadership "will hopefully succeed in stabilising the country in keeping peace," suggesting the US is ready to support Syria's transition, CNN reported.

Syria's new President Ahmad al-Sharaa, once the founder of the militant group Jabhat al-Nusra, broke ties with al-Qaeda in 2016, according to the US Centre for Naval Analyses.

A White House official confirmed that Trump is expected to informally greet al-Sharaa in Riyadh on Wednesday, signalling further engagement between Washington and Damascus.

US President Donald Trump began his Middle East visit on May 13, which includes Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

Reader Comments

Here are 6 diverse Indian perspective comments on the Syria sanctions news:
R
Rahul K.
Interesting move by Trump. But I worry this might be premature - Syria's new leader has a militant past. India should watch carefully how this impacts regional stability, especially with our Gulf diaspora and oil imports at stake. 🛢️
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Priya M.
Finally some positive news from the Middle East! The Syrian people have suffered too long. Hope this brings stability and reduces refugee crises that indirectly affect India too. But America's sudden policy changes make me nervous - what if Trump changes his mind tomorrow?
A
Arjun S.
As someone who follows geopolitics closely, this is a smart chess move by Trump. With China expanding in Middle East, US needs allies. But India must ensure our interests in Chabahar port and Central Asia access aren't compromised by these developments.
S
Sunita R.
The humanitarian in me welcomes this decision. So many innocent lives were destroyed by war and sanctions. Maybe now Syrian children can hope for a better future. But I wish our media would focus more on such global issues affecting human lives rather than just political drama.
V
Vikram J.
Trump's foreign policy is like a Bollywood potboiler - full of twists! First he bombs Syria, now lifts sanctions. While this may help Syria recover, I'm concerned about the message it sends - that militant backgrounds don't matter if you come to power. Not a good precedent for our neighborhood.
N
Neha P.
This could open economic opportunities for Indian businesses in reconstruction projects. Our construction and pharma companies should explore partnerships. But we must be cautious - Syria still has many armed groups and the security situation remains fragile.

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Tags:
Trump Syria sanctions Assad Mohammed bin Salman Erdogan US foreign policy Middle East