World News
US officially removes Syria from state sponsors of terrorism list
The decision leaves Cuba, Iran, and North Korea as the only remaining nations on the terrorism blacklist following a 45-day congressional review.
The short version
- The U.S. has officially taken Syria off its State Sponsors of Terrorism list following a 45-day congressional review process.
- Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa welcomed the action, which aims to facilitate foreign investment, international trade, and financial system access after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024.
- Cuba, Iran, and North Korea remain the only three nations designated as state sponsors of terrorism by Washington.
Key facts
- The U.S. officially removed Syria from its State Sponsors of Terrorism list after a 45-day congressional review following President Donald Trump's announcement in July.[Al Jazeera]
- The removal leaves Cuba, Iran, and North Korea as the remaining three countries on the U.S. terrorism blacklist.[Al Jazeera]
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the delisting followed formal assurances from Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa that Syria will not support international terrorism.[Al Jazeera]
- Syria had been continuously designated as a state sponsor of terrorism by Washington since 1979.[Al Jazeera]
What remains uncertain
- The extent and pace at which foreign corporate investment and international banking services will return to Syria remain uncertain despite the removal of terrorism sanctions.[Al Jazeera]