In a rapid and significant shift in international policy, the United States, United Kingdom, and United Nations all lifted longstanding sanctions on Syria’s transitional president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, and his interior minister, Anas Khattab, just days ahead of an unprecedented meeting between al-Sharaa and U.S. President Donald Trump. The coordinated moves, announced on November 7, 2025, mark a dramatic turn for war-torn Syria and signal cautious optimism for the nation’s future after the ouster of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024.
The U.S. Treasury Department confirmed the removal of Specially Designated Global Terrorist designations for both al-Sharaa and Khattab on Friday, while the British government announced a similar lifting of financial and travel restrictions. These actions came less than 24 hours after the United Nations Security Council, in a session titled “Threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts,” voted 14-0, with China abstaining, to adopt Resolution 2799 and formally delist the Syrian leaders from international sanctions. According to Reuters, both al-Sharaa and Khattab had previously been subject to measures targeting individuals linked to the Islamic State group and al-Qaeda.
State Department Principal Deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott explained the rationale behind the U.S. decision, stating, “These actions are being taken in recognition of the progress demonstrated by the Syrian leadership after the departure of Bashar al-Assad and more than 50 years of repression under the Assad regime.” He emphasized that the new government is “working hard to missing Americans, fulfill its commitments on countering terrorism and narcotics, eliminating any remnants of chemical weapons, and promoting regional security and stability as well as an inclusive, Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process.”
The United Nations’ own statement echoed these sentiments. Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates described the Security Council’s move as “the Council’s first resolution after the fall of the former regime,” adding that it “reflects a unified international stance in support of Syria’s stability, territorial integrity, and sovereignty.” The ministry further noted that the delisting “reflects growing confidence in President al-Sharaa’s leadership.”
It’s a dramatic reversal for al-Sharaa, who once led a U.S.-designated terrorist group and spent time in the infamous Abu Ghraib prison. Now, as Syria’s transitional president, he faces the monumental task of rebuilding a nation shattered by nearly 14 years of civil war. His government has moved quickly to court international partners, with the upcoming White House visit seen as a pivotal moment in re-establishing Syria’s place on the world stage.
The November 10, 2025, meeting in Washington will mark the first time a Syrian president has ever set foot in the White House. According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, President Trump “will host the Syrian president at the White House on Monday,” underscoring the historic nature of the event. U.S. envoy to Syria Tom Barrack told Axios, “this will be the first-ever visit by a Syrian president to the White House and another major step in rebuilding U.S.–Syrian relations.”
Diplomatic sources say that the meeting’s agenda will focus heavily on counterterrorism efforts. Syria is expected to formally join the U.S.-led Global Coalition to Defeat the Islamic State, which brings together around 80 countries in the fight against the extremist group. During the visit, President al-Sharaa is widely expected to sign Syria’s accession to the coalition, a move intended to signal Syria’s new direction and its willingness to cooperate with the international community on security issues.
These developments have not gone unnoticed in Europe. A spokesperson for the European Union stated on Friday that the UN Security Council’s decision “will be reflected in European measures,” and added, “We remain committed to supporting a peaceful, inclusive, Syrian-led and Syrian-owned transition that contributes to building a better future for all Syrians.” The EU’s commitment to a Syrian-led transition has been echoed by other Western governments, many of which had previously imposed their own sanctions on the Assad regime and its associates.
The United Kingdom’s envoy to the United Nations described the Security Council vote as “a watershed moment since the fall of the Assad regime,” and stressed that London “welcomes the progress made by the Syrian government, including political developments and its positive steps in counterterrorism.” The envoy expressed hope that the decision would encourage “support for Syria and its people’s efforts toward reconstruction and economic development.”
At home, the Syrian government has embraced the international community’s newfound support. Syria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ibrahim Alabi, called the Security Council resolution “a rare moment of unity in the Security Council to support Syria and stand by its people,” and thanked the U.S. representative for their efforts. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement lauding the decision as “a legal and political confirmation of the state’s consistent approach to safeguarding the rights of Syrians, establishing security and peace, and combating the drug trade and terrorism.” The ministry also characterized the consensus in the Security Council as “a victory for Syrian diplomacy, which has succeeded in restoring international recognition of Syria’s place and pivotal role in the region.”
Meanwhile, efforts are underway in the U.S. Congress to repeal the broader sanctions regime imposed on Syria in 2019. Lawmakers are considering including a repeal in the year-end National Defense Authorization Act, a must-pass policy bill. Most congressional leaders appear eager to move forward, arguing that sanctions now stand in the way of Syria’s stability and reconstruction. In a rare show of bipartisanship, Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released a joint statement: “Effective diplomacy requires bold action, and removing sanctions on Syria’s leadership is a necessary step to bring the Syrian economy into the 21st century. The United States remains committed to a safe, free, and stable Syria shaped by Syrians, and has committed to removing sanctions from the government.”
International observers are watching closely as al-Sharaa prepares for his historic Washington visit, with many seeing it as a barometer for Syria’s reintegration into the global community. The stakes are high: beyond the symbolism, the success of these diplomatic overtures could lay the groundwork for a more stable and prosperous Syria, finally emerging from the long shadow of war and isolation.
As the world waits for the outcome of Monday’s summit, the sense of cautious hope is palpable. For Syria, these recent moves represent more than just a diplomatic thaw—they signal the possibility of a new beginning.
