US to remove Syria from terror blacklist

The United States will remove Syria from its state sponsors of terrorism list in 45 days unless Congress blocks the move, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on July 8.

Rubio notified Congress of the planned delisting as President Donald Trump met Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Ankara. The US designation has restricted investment and business activity in Syria, even after Trump initially lifted sanctions.

Rubio said Sharaa had given formal assurances that Syria would not support acts of international terrorism in the future. He said lifting sanctions would unlock international trade and investment and give Syria a chance to rebuild.

Trump praised Sharaa, who has sought to present himself as a unifying leader since the Assad family's rule was toppled in 2024. The decision came despite Israeli concerns and without tangible progress on Trump's public push for Syria to make peace with Israel.

The United States has listed Syria as a state sponsor of terrorism since 1979. If the delisting takes effect, Iran, North Korea and Cuba will remain on the US terrorism blacklist.