Syria has submitted a formal response to a list of US Syria conditions for potential sanctions relief, stating it has fulfilled most demands, but that others require “mutual understandings” with Washington, according to a copy of the letter obtained by Reuters.

Perhaps most importantly, the letter vows that Syria would not become a threat to "Israel".

The United States previously presented Syria with eight conditions, including the destruction of remaining chemical weapons stockpiles and ensuring that foreigners are not given senior government roles. The request comes as Syria seeks relief from sanctions that have crippled its economy after 14 years of war and isolation.

Although Washington issued a six-month exemption in January to ease sanctions for humanitarian aid, its impact has been limited. In return for meeting all the demands, the US offered to extend the suspension for two years and possibly grant further exemptions.

Reuters first reported that US official Natasha Franceschi delivered the conditions to Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani during a March 18 meeting in Brussels. In his first address to the United Nations Security Council, Shibani emphasized that Syria was acting on several of the requests, notably regarding Syria's chemical weapons stockpiles and the search for missing Americans.

The four-page Syrian letter to the US pledged to establish a liaison office within the Foreign Ministry to assist in locating missing American journalist Austin Tice and detailed steps to cooperate with global arms watchdogs on chemical disarmament.

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No threat to 'Israel'

However, the letter was less forthcoming on other critical points, including the removal of foreign fighters in Syria and granting the US permission to conduct counterterrorism strikes.

The letter indicated that discussions had been held with former US envoy Daniel Rubinstein regarding foreign fighters but described the matter as needing “broader consultative sessions.” It noted that military promotions for foreign fighters had been suspended but did not confirm whether previous appointments had been revoked.

Syria also addressed concerns about Palestinian factions operating within its territory. The letter stated that a committee had been formed to monitor these groups and assured that armed factions outside of state control would not be tolerated. Notably, Syria pledged not to allow its territory to become a source of threat to any party, “including Israel.”

On 'counterterrorism', Syria’s position was that any such cooperation “requires mutual understandings.” The letter affirmed that the interim government would not permit threats to US or Western interests, but stopped short of committing to specific actions.

Syria expressed a willingness to engage further with Washington, suggesting that the steps taken could lead to detailed discussions about lifting sanctions and reopening embassies. The letter, sent on April 14, arrived shortly before Shibani traveled to New York, where he was expected to discuss the response with US officials.

The document proposed ongoing dialogue about coordinating anti-extremist efforts without directly authorizing US strikes, a sensitive issue given past foreign military interventions.

The letter acknowledged existing communication between Syrian counterterrorism officials and US representatives in Amman, revealing previously unreported direct contact aimed at combating ISIS elements. Syria indicated it was open to expanding this collaboration under mutually agreed-upon terms.

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