U.S. says sanctions relief on Syria tied to verifiable steps
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – A senior official at the United States Department of State said on Tuesday that any easing of sanctions on Syria will depend on concrete and verifiable measures, warning that instability will persist if the country becomes a platform for expanding Iranian influence.
In remarks to Alhurra TV, the official stressed that Washington’s approach to sanctions remains conditional and linked to specific benchmarks.
“If Syria becomes an environment conducive to expanding Iran’s influence, there will be no path to achieving stability,” the official said.
The statement underscores U.S. concerns over Tehran’s role in Syria and signals that reconstruction assistance will not proceed without political and structural changes.
The official further warned that Damascus cannot seek international funding for reconstruction while attempting to reimpose centralized control by force.
“Syria cannot reimpose centralization by force and then expect to receive funding for reconstruction,” the official added.
The remarks come amid ongoing discussions about Syria’s political future and the potential recalibration of Western sanctions policy, as regional and international actors weigh conditions for engagement and post-war rebuilding.