US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on June 30 formally ending US sanctions on Syria, including restrictions on Syrian oil imports, effective July 1, offering the Syrian people "a chance for a new beginning," the US Treasury Department said.

The sanctions regime had been in place since 2011 when the Obama administration banned US imports of Syrian petroleum and related products during the country's civil war.

"On June 30, the President issued an Executive Order "Providing for the Revocation of Syria Sanctions" that removes US sanctions on Syria, effective July 1, 2025, according to the mailer by OFAC seen by IntelliNews. 

"The US is committed to supporting a Syria that is stable, unified and at peace with itself and its neighbours," the executive order stated. The Office of Foreign Assets Control under the US Treasury has begun implementing the order, citing changed conditions following developments over the past six months.

The changes include positive steps taken by Syria's new administration led by Ahmed al-Sharaa following the December 2024 overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's government.

The order maintains accountability for Assad's deposed regime and expands the national emergency declared under Executive Order 13894, allowing sanctions to continue against Assad, his associates and other destabilising regional actors who are now in Moscow, Russia.

Restrictions on the Islamic State group and Iran-affiliated militias also remain, but have been entirely removed on the factions led by the new Turkish-backed administration in Damascus.

OFAC removed 518 individuals and entities from the Specially Designated Nationals list whilst designating 139 individuals and entities connected to the former regime, Iran-associated actors and counterterrorism measures to ensure continued accountability.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bissonnette said the executive order paves the way for reintegrating Syria's economy into global trade and rebuilding the country's infrastructure. The Syrian government must continue taking steps towards establishing a stable, unified and peaceful state, he added.

Syrian Foreign Minister Assad Al-Sahibani welcomed the US move, describing it as a significant turning point that could help steer the country towards prosperity.

"With the removal of this major obstacle, the long-awaited doors to reconstruction and development are now open, enabling the rehabilitation of vital infrastructure and creating the conditions necessary for the dignified and safe return of displaced Syrians to their homeland," Al-Sahibani said