Trump Holds Landmark Meeting with Syria’s Interim President Sharaa in Riyadh, Pledges Sanctions Relief

In a historic diplomatic breakthrough, United States President Donald Trump met on Wednesday with Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh, marking the first direct interaction between leaders of the two nations in 25 years.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit and was attended by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, along with high-level American and Saudi officials. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan joined the session virtually.

President Trump acknowledged that both Crown Prince Mohammed and President Erdogan played key roles in facilitating the dialogue. “This is an opportunity to give Syria a path toward peace and reintegration,” Trump said.

This development signals a dramatic shift in U.S. foreign policy toward Syria, which has been under strict economic sanctions and international isolation since 1979 due to its designation as a state sponsor of terrorism.

Syria’s political landscape has undergone significant changes since December 2024, when opposition forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) took control of Damascus, ending the Assad family’s five-decade rule. Sharaa was appointed interim president in January 2025 and is now recognized by several regional powers.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry issued a statement read, “Lifting these sanctions opens the door for Syria to restore its economy, achieve national unity, and chart a new path forward.”

While the White House had initially downplayed the meeting, describing it as a brief greeting, the outcome suggests a potential shift toward normalization. Trump announced that the U.S. would begin the process of lifting economic sanctions, citing a need to support Syria’s recovery and stability under the new leadership.