Reuters: US Holds First Direct Talks with Syria Under Trump Administration

The White House, where US officials discussed Syria policy – North Press.
The White House, where US officials discussed Syria policy – North Press.

By Kardo Roj

DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – The United States has engaged in its first high-level direct communication with Syria’s new government, marking a significant diplomatic development between Washington and Damascus, Reuters reported on Tuesday.

According to the report, a senior US official met with Syria’s acting Foreign Minister, Asaad al-Sheibani, to discuss potential sanctions relief in exchange for political and security concessions. The meeting, the first of its kind under President Donald Trump’s administration, signals a possible shift in US engagement with Syria following the fall of the previous regime.

The Reuters report states that Washington presented a set of conditions to Damascus in return for partial relief from US-imposed sanctions. These conditions reportedly include:

Expelling foreign fighters from Syria, particularly those aligned with regional adversaries.

Assisting in locating American journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared in Syria in 2012 under the previous government.

The nature of Syria’s response to these demands remains unclear, and no official statement has been released by either side. However, diplomatic sources suggest that Washington is testing the new government’s willingness to engage on key security and humanitarian issues.

Since taking office earlier this year, President Trump’s administration has maintained a firm stance on Syria, upholding sanctions and reiterating Washington’s commitment to countering foreign military influence in the country. The US has continued to back the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northeast Syria while closely monitoring developments in Damascus.

The meeting also comes amid regional efforts to reshape alliances and security dynamics in Syria, with neighboring countries and international stakeholders assessing the policies of the new Syrian administration.

Austin Tice, a US journalist and former Marine, disappeared in Syria in 2012 while covering the conflict. The US government has long demanded information on his whereabouts, with previous administrations offering rewards for credible information leading to his recovery. His case remains a central issue in any potential US-Syria diplomatic engagement.

While this meeting represents a significant step in US-Syria engagement, experts caution that deep-seated political differences remain. Washington’s sanctions policy and Syria’s geopolitical alliances will likely influence the pace and scope of future negotiations.

As diplomatic discussions continue, observers will be watching whether this first step leads to broader engagement or remains a limited exchange over specific security concerns.