The U.S. Department of State has announced the suspension of mandatory Caesar Act sanctions on Syria, following actions taken by the Syrian government after the fall of the al-Assad regime. The move is intended to support Syria's economic recovery, reestablish its international relationships, and promote peace and prosperity for its citizens.
According to the Department of State, this decision fulfills President Trump's commitment to offer the Syrian people a chance for lasting peace and prosperity. The statement emphasized expectations for further progress from Syria: "President Trump made clear the United States expects to see concrete actions by the Syrian government to turn the page on the past and work towards peace in the region."
The sanctions relief is carried out under section 7432(b)(1) of the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 (22 U.S.C. 8791 note). Additional details are available in official government documents outlining this determination.
An advisory was jointly issued by the Departments of State, Treasury, and Commerce. It provides guidance to both public and private sector entities regarding current sanctions and export controls relief related to Syria. The advisory also clarifies which activities with Syria are allowed or prohibited under existing regulations.
This development marks a significant change in U.S. policy toward Syria since implementation of Caesar Act sanctions began in 2020 as part of efforts to pressure Bashar al-Assad’s government over human rights abuses.
