Washington, July 9, 2026 – The Europe Today: The United States has formally begun the process of removing Syria from its list of State Sponsors of Terrorism, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Wednesday.
In a statement, Rubio said he had notified the US Congress of the administration’s intention to rescind Syria’s designation, initiating the mandatory 45-day congressional review period required before the decision can take effect.
The Secretary of State said the move is intended to pave the way for the lifting of sanctions on Syria, facilitating international trade and investment while supporting the country’s reconstruction efforts and opening what he described as a new chapter for the Syrian people.
Rubio also emphasized that a stable, unified, and peaceful Syria would contribute to regional security and prosperity while benefiting the broader international community.
The announcement follows a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa held on the sidelines of the NATO leaders’ summit in Ankara on Wednesday.
According to the statement, President Trump informed President al-Sharaa during the meeting of the US decision to begin the process of removing Syria from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list, marking a significant step in the evolving relationship between Washington and Damascus.
