The U.S. State Department, under Secretary Marco Rubio, revoked the foreign terrorist organization designation for Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) on June 23. This decision marks a significant shift in U.S. policy towards Syria. It follows a recent meeting between President Donald Trump and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh.
The move aims to support Syria's economic reconstruction and signal support for the new leadership. The U.S. is also reviewing Syria's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism. This includes easing restrictions on financial dealings with Sharaa's government.
While some sanctions remain, the broader relief is intended to reintegrate Syria into the global financial system. This could potentially bring it into the Abraham Accords with Israel. U.S. officials emphasize ongoing vigilance to protect security and international interests despite the policy shift.