US sets new conditions for Syria to ease sanctions

The United States has put forward a number of conditions to Syria for a partial lifting of sanctions against Damascus, according to a report by The Washington Post.

“At an international meeting in Brussels last month, a mid-level Trump administration official handed Syria’s new foreign minister a list of eight ‘confidence-building’ steps his government would need to take to be considered for partial sanctions relief,” the report says.

The list, a copy of which was seen by The Washington Post, includes allowing the U.S. government to conduct anti-terrorism operations on Syrian soil against anyone Washington deems a national security threat.

To note, the United States initiates a cautious approach toward easing sanctions on Syria, reflecting the significant political changes following the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.

In early 2025, the U.S. issued a six-month general license allowing transactions with Syrian governing institutions. This exemption facilitates essential services such as electricity, energy, water, and sanitation, aiming to support the Syrian population during the transitional period. However, it excludes military or intelligence agencies and does not constitute full sanctions relief.

On March 25, 2025, the Trump administration presented Syria's new leadership with a list of conditions for partial sanctions relief. These conditions include the destruction of remaining chemical weapons, cooperation on counter-terrorism efforts, barring foreign fighters from senior government roles, assisting in locating U.S. journalist Austin Tice, and designating Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization.​

By Khagan Isayev