In a move that has been hailed as a significant step towards peace and stability in the Middle East, the United States has officially terminated its sanctions against Syria, effective June 30, 2025. The decision was made by President Trump through his historic Executive Order (E.O.) of the same day, “Providing for the Revocation of Syria Sanctions.”
The Department of State implemented this new policy, which aims to promote accountability for those responsible for destabilizing Syria and the region, while also giving Syrians a chance at greatness. The sanctions that remain in place target only the most egregious individuals and entities involved in malign behavior, such as drug trafficking, weapons of mass destruction proliferation, terrorism, human rights abuses, or activities linked to Iran and its proxies.
According to sources, the Secretary of State certified that it is in the national security interests of the United States to waive the application of sanctions for certain individuals and entities. These include:
- ADAM TRADING AND INVESTMENT LLC
- Wassim Anwar Al-Qattan
- Khaled Al-Zubaidi
- INTERSECTION LLC
- MURUJ CHAM INVESTMENT AND TOURISM GROUP
- APEX DEVELOPMENT AND PROJECTS LLC
- Nader Kalai
- AL-AMAR ONE-PERSON LLC
- TIMEET TRADING LLC
- Aleksey Makarov
Additionally, the Department of State has terminated sanctions on several entities that were previously designated under Executive Order 13894, including:
- Fourth Division of the Syrian Arab Army
- First Division of the Syrian Arab Army
- National Defense Forces
- SYTROL (designated pursuant to the Iran Sanctions Act)
As a result of these changes, all property and interests in property of the designated persons are now unblocked, and entities owned by one or more blocked persons with a stake of at least 50 percent are also unblocked. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about positive change in behavior.
This move marks a significant shift in U.S.-Syrian relations, as the country seeks to promote greater cooperation and stability in the region. With this policy change, the United States is taking a step towards a more constructive approach to addressing the complexities of the Syrian crisis.
Conclusion
The U.S. decision to terminate its sanctions against Syria is a significant development that holds promise for greater peace and stability in the Middle East. As the country moves forward with this new policy, it is essential to monitor developments and assess their impact on regional dynamics.