State Department Rescinds Syria’s Designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism

On August 24, 2026, the State Department announced that the United States was formally rescinding Syria’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism following the conclusion of the mandatory 45-day Congressional notification period.  See SmarTrade update of July 9, 2026.  In a press statement, the State Department indicated that this action, along with past actions in the past year, were taken “in recognition of the positive actions taken and further commitments by the Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa to fully distance Syria from acts of international terrorism.” 

For a summary of U.S. sanctions and export control relief for Syria to date, please refer to the Tri-Seal Advisory (updated as of August 2026) published by U.S. Departments of Commerce, Treasury, and State. See also SmarTrade updates of November 18, 2025, September 25, 2025, September 3, 2025, and other updates dating back to January 2025 following the events of December 8, 2024, and the removal of Bashar al-Assad from power.