President of Syria Ahmed al-Sharaa meets with President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, D.C., on November 10, 2025. Trump on Wednesday announced that he was removing Syria from the state sponsor of terrorism list. File Photo by Syrian Presidency/UPI | License Photo
July 8 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump informed Congress on Wednesday of his intent to rescind Syria's decades-old designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, another crucial step signifying Damascus' transition from international pariah toward diplomatic acceptance.
"This is yet another historic step by President Trump to give the Syrian people a chance at greatness," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement announcing the move.
"Today marks a significant milestone in the revived U.S.-Syria bilateral relationship and in Syria's history as a nation. We commend the government of Syria for charting a new course and look forward to enhancing our partnership with Syria and its people."
Washington and Damascus have been forging closer relations since the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, ending the Bashar family's decades-long hold on the country, and ushering in an interim government led by former jihadist rebel leader-turned-Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
