U.S. President Donald Trump called on Syrian Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa to join the Abraham Accords and normalize ties with Israel during a landmark meeting in Riyadh on Wednesday—the first between American and Syrian leaders in more than two decades.
The meeting came just one day after Trump’s surprise announcement that the United States would lift all sanctions on Syria, a decision that caught many by surprise given al-Sharaa’s reported past ties to jihadist groups, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, al-Qaeda, and the Islamic State. According to Arab media, the move was made despite objections from Israel.
A White House spokesperson said Trump also urged al-Sharaa to expel Palestinian terrorist factions from Syrian territory and to assist in preventing a resurgence of ISIS.
The high-level meeting was held behind closed doors with the participation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan joined virtually via video link.
Speaking to reporters afterward, Trump said the U.S. was “weighing normalization with Syria,” and argued that lifting sanctions would offer the new Syrian leadership “a fresh start.”
President Donald Trump meets Syrian leader al-Sharaa in Riyadh
Trump revealed in his speech that the Turkish and Saudi leaders urged him to take the step. "Oh, what wouldn’t I do for the crown prince," Trump said during his speech. This prompted bin Salman to place his hand on his chest, stand up and applaud.
According to reports, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Trump to maintain sanctions on Syria and refrain from supporting or stabilizing the country, fearing a repeat of the October 7 Hamas attacks. However, Trump appears to have disregarded the request. On Tuesday night, he announced that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio would meet next week with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani.
Trump also reiterated his desire to reach a deal with Iran, while maintaining that the Iranian regime must not acquire nuclear weapons and must cease its sponsorship of terrorism.
Israeli officials noted that Syria had not been a subject of discussion in recent talks with the U.S. In the early days of al-Sharaa’s rule, both Israel and the international community viewed him with suspicion, referring to him as a “jihadist in a suit.” Since then, Western powers have maintained backroom communications with Damascus in an effort to guide the new regime toward moderation. Al-Sharaa himself said during a trip to Paris last week that even Israel has engaged in direct dialogue. That communication likely contributed to a shift in Israel’s position, and Trump's decision to lift sanctions was not seen as a diplomatic affront.
Celebrations erupt across Syria
Celebrations broke out across Syria on Wednesday following the announcement. Crowds gathered in Latakia, Damascus’s Umayyad Square, Idlib, Tartus, Hama and Homs. Social media videos showed Syrians waving national flags—and in some areas, Saudi flags—as a gesture of appreciation for Riyadh’s role in brokering the sanctions relief. “Thank you, Saudi Arabia!” celebrants chanted. According to Qatari newspaper The New Arab, three people were killed by gunfire during the celebrations, and others were injured.
Israeli officials clarified that while they did not actively oppose the sanctions decision, they had urged caution following the fall of Bashar Assad. The U.S. reportedly spent six months evaluating its options before moving forward. Israeli analysts said the decision increases the likelihood that Syria will align with the Western bloc, potentially weakening Iran’s regional influence. Additionally, Saudi Arabia’s support for Syria is seen as a counterweight to Turkish ambitions, leveraging Riyadh’s considerable financial influence.
Contrary to a Reuters report that Trump may offer Saudi Arabia access to civilian nuclear technology without normalizing relations with Israel, no such agreement was reached during his visit to the kingdom.
U.S. sanctions on Syria, imposed during the Assad era, had cut the country off from the global economic system, hampered trade and investment and hindered reconstruction. The new Syrian government has been lobbying for months to lift those sanctions, arguing they were intended for the previous regime but now burden ordinary citizens.
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Following the announcement, Syrian Information Minister Hamza Mustafa called the move a “rebirth” for the country. “The lifting of sanctions marks the beginning of Syria’s recovery and reconstruction,” he said. “This is a national achievement made possible by the support of Arab states. All Syrians must now contribute to civil peace, national unity and internal stability.”
Trump announced the sanctions reversal ahead of his meeting with al-Sharaa, who led the rebel coalition that overthrew Assad’s regime in December, and has sought to position himself as a reformer. Shortly after his rise, a $10 million bounty placed on his head over his jihadist past was quietly withdrawn.
On Tuesday night, he arrived in Saudi Arabia to meet Trump. Before Trump’s dramatic speech, the White House stated Trump had "agreed to greet him." From Saudi Arabia, Trump will continue to Qatar and later this week to the UAE.
In a Tuesday night address, Trump declared that “Syria’s time to shine has come.” He added, “We will lift the sanctions. Good luck, Syria—show us something special.”
Syrian Foreign Minister al-Shibani praised the decision, calling it a potential “historic peace breakthrough” and a victory for U.S. interests. Though he did not elaborate, recent reports suggest Syria is exploring normalization with Israel, though conditions remain under discussion.
According to The Times of London, al-Sharaa may agree to join the Abraham Accords and accept a demilitarized zone in southern Syria, a long-standing Israeli demand. Jonathan Bass, an American activist who held a lengthy meeting with al-Sharaa on April 30, said the Syrian leader expressed interest in “building a Trump Tower in Damascus” and making peace with Israel. “What he told me is good for the region, good for Israel,” Bass said, adding that al-Sharaa claimed he and Trump share a “common destiny” as both have survived assassination attempts.
Most U.S. sanctions on Syria stem from congressional legislation. A 2019 law allows the president to lift sanctions if doing so is deemed to serve U.S. national security interests. The move has received bipartisan support. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called it an opportunity “to prevent Russia and Iran from stepping in.” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) also voiced support, saying, “The new government established in Syria could be a good investment and might be the path to uniting Syria and making it a stable part of the region,” though he cautioned, “This needs to be evaluated before making a final decision.”