U.S. Government Issues Broad Sanctions Relief For Syria

On May 23, 2025, the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") issued Syria General License 25 ("GL 25"), effectively lifting U.S. sanctions on Syria. This move follows President Trump's announcement on May 13, 2025, during a trip to the Middle East, that the United States would lift sanctions on Syria following the overthrow of the Assad regime and the establishment of a transitional government led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

In an accompanying press release, the Treasury Department noted that sanctions relief "is intended to help rebuild Syria's economy, financial sector, and infrastructure," and that "it is critical to bring new investment into Syria and support the new Government of Syria." The Treasury Department indicated that the sanctions relief is contingent upon the new Syrian government implementing effective measures to safeguard its religious and ethnic minorities and to refrain from providing safe harbor to terrorist groups.