Syria removed: Which countries are still on the US ‘terror’ list – and why?

The United States has removed Syria from its State Sponsors of Terrorism (SSOT) list, a designation it held since 1979. This decision, announced by President Trump and effective after a congressional review, aims to facilitate Syria's reconstruction and rebuilding efforts following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in December 2024. Syria's President al-Sharaa provided assurances against supporting international terrorism, and Washington acknowledged cooperation against ISIS. With Syria's removal, only Cuba, Iran, and North Korea remain on the US SSOT blacklist. Iran has been on the list since 1984 due to accusations of supporting regional armed groups, while Cuba was first designated in 1982 and had its status restored in 2021 after a previous removal.

The United States has formally removed Syria from its "state sponsors of terrorism" list, a designation that had been in place since 1979. This action, following a congressional review period, clears a significant hurdle for Syria's integration into the global financial system after decades of isolation. While many sanctions were previously lifted, the terrorism designation imposed additional restrictions, hindering financial and trade activities. Analysts believe this delisting will provide a much-needed economic boost, reduce legal risks for international banks engaging with Syria, and potentially open channels for foreign assistance and investment. This development comes after the collapse of the al-Assad regime in December 2024 and the subsequent formation of a new government prioritizing reintegration.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa welcomed the United States' removal of Syria from the "state sponsors of terrorism" list. This decision, made on Monday, rescinds a decades-old designation that imposed severe economic restrictions, aiming to boost post-war reconstruction and private sector investment in Syria. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated the move will foster additional investment for political and economic stability, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted it eliminates major barriers for private sector investment and promotes economic recovery. The US had designated Syria as a state sponsor of terrorism in 1979 due to its alleged support for Palestinian fighter groups.

The United States has formally removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, a designation it held since 1979. This action, authorized by Secretary of State Marco Rubio after a congressional notification period, eliminates major barriers to investment and economic recovery in Syria. President Donald Trump initiated this process after confirming Syria's government had ceased supporting international terrorism. The U.S. also delisted Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. These steps are intended to promote Syria's economic prosperity and reintegration into the global economy, following positive actions and commitments by the Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Syria's Foreign Minister stated this will help restore its links to the global financial system and encourage investment.

The United States has removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism after 47 years, a move intended to remove barriers to private sector investment and global economic reintegration. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated this decision recognizes the Syrian government's actions to distance itself from international terrorism. The Trump administration has engaged with Syria's new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former militant leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which was also removed from the US list of global terrorist organizations. HTS, formerly al-Qaeda's affiliate in Syria, led the offensive that overthrew former president Bashar al-Assad and now dominates the transitional administration. The US aims to draw Syria away from Russian and Chinese influence, despite ongoing security and governance challenges in the country.

The United States Treasury has announced the removal of Syria from its list of "State Sponsors of Terrorism," revoking a designation that had been in place since the rule of the ousted Assad regime. This decision, confirmed in a statement on Monday, also rescinded the designation of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), formerly known as the al-Nusrah Front and led by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, as a "terrorist" organization. The move is intended to remove obstacles to investment in Syria, promoting political and economic stability. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated the action is in line with President Trump's promise of sanctions relief and aims to foster further investment. The delisting follows earlier announcements and a review by Congress, with the US citing efforts by al-Sharaa to unify the country.

The United States has removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, a designation that had hindered investment for decades. The US State Department also revoked the global terrorist organization designation for al-Nusrah Front, also known as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). This action leaves Cuba, Iran, and North Korea as the only countries designated by Washington as state sponsors of terrorism. According to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, this move is intended to foster additional investment in Syria to promote political and economic stability. The State Department stated these actions were taken in recognition of positive steps and commitments by the Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa to distance Syria from international terrorism.