OFAC removes Syria sanctions regulations after U.S. ends national emergency
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued on Monday a final rule removing the Syrian Sanctions Regulations (31 CFR Part 542) from the Code of Federal Regulations, following the termination of the Syria-related national emergency and a broader shift in U.S. policy toward Damascus.
The rule takes effect upon publication in the Federal Register on Aug. 26.
Treasury said the action implements President Donald Trump’s June 30, 2025 executive order, “Providing for the Revocation of Syria Sanctions,” which revoked prior Syria sanctions authorities and directed agencies to unwind the program.
OFAC also noted that while the sanctions program has been terminated, investigations or enforcement actions for apparent violations that occurred before July 1, 2025 may still proceed.
Under the rule, persons designated solely under the now-revoked Syria program have been or are being removed from the SDN List and their property unblocked. Other authorities (e.g., counterterrorism, counternarcotic, human rights) remain available and may still apply to some actors, according to the OFAC.
The move follows Trump’s public pledge in Riyadh on May 13, 2025, where he said he would lift U.S. sanctions on Syria at the start of his Middle East trip—remarks that previewed June’s executive action.
U.S. sanctions on Syria moved back to 1979 when the American administration designated Syria a State Sponsor of Terrorism, triggering statutory restrictions and laying the groundwork for later sanctions.
After the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act in 2004, President George W. Bush issued Executive Order 13338, imposing additional sanctions (export and financial restrictions).
In 2011 and 2012, and in response to the Syrian uprising and ensuing repression, multiple executive orders (including E.O. 13572, 13573, and 13582) expanded blocking measures to Syrian government entities and sectors of the economy.
In 2020 onward, Congress enacted the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, authorizing secondary sanctions on non-U.S. persons supporting the Syrian government’s military and reconstruction networks; later legislation extended key provisions to Dec. 31, 2029. While the administration has moved to suspend or unwind the program, analysts note Caesar’s framework and other authorities could still be used in targeted ways.
However, even with the Syria program revoked, other U.S. sanctions programs (e.g., counterterrorism) can still apply to specific individuals and groups. Market participants should confirm that any party is not blocked under other authorities.