Riyadh [Saudi Arabia], May 14 (HBTV): US President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced his intention to lift longstanding American sanctions on Syria following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime the previous year, CNN reported.

Speaking at the Saudi-US Investment Forum 2025, Trump described the move as a step towards peace and reconstruction in Syria, stating it would ‘give them a chance at greatness.’ He framed the decision as part of a broader strategy to support recovery in the war-torn nation.

Trump said the decision was made after consultations with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

‘Syria, they've had their share of travesty, war, killing in many years,’ Trump said, adding that his administration had already begun efforts to restore normal diplomatic relations with Damascus. He stressed that this would be the first such engagement by the US in over a decade.

As part of this diplomatic re-engagement, Trump noted that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to meet Syria's foreign minister in Turkey later this week, CNN reported.

The Assad regime collapsed during the final months of the Biden administration in December. Since then, the US has maintained a policy of observation and limited engagement. Trump argued that the time had come to reconsider the punitive measures.

‘The sanctions were brutal and crippling and served as an important — really an important function — nevertheless, at the time,’ he said. ‘But now it's their time to shine. So I say, “Good luck, Syria.” Show us something very special.’

Trump voiced optimism about Syria’s future, suggesting the US is ready to support the new government in its transition toward peace and stability. He said, ‘The country's new leadership will hopefully succeed in stabilising the country and keeping peace.’

Syria's new President, Ahmad al-Sharaa, was once the founder of the militant group Jabhat al-Nusra but reportedly severed ties with al-Qaeda in 2016, according to the US Centre for Naval Analyses.

A White House official confirmed that Trump is expected to greet al-Sharaa informally in Riyadh on Wednesday, signalling a new phase of engagement between Washington and Damascus.

Trump began his Middle East tour on May 13, which includes visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

(ANI)