US Rejects Israel’s Request to Maintain Sanctions on Syria
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had contacted advisers to US President Donald Trump prior to the lifting of sanctions. These communications aimed to persuade Washington to keep the sanctions as a tool of pressure in future negotiations, but they proved unsuccessful.
Trump recently signed the 2026 defense budget worth 901 billion dollars, which also includes the lifting of sanctions on Syria.
Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Oncu Keçeli welcomed the lifting of sanctions under the “Caesar Act.” Meanwhile, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa expressed gratitude to four countries, including Turkey, for supporting the process of lifting sanctions.
The repeal of the Caesar Act, which had been enacted to restrict Syria’s economic recovery, paves the way for the return of foreign investments and aid to the country, and facilitates support for Syria’s new government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, established in March 2025.
