US partially suspends Caesar Act sanctions on Syria for 180 days
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The US Treasury pauses key Caesar Act sanctions on Syria for 180 days, maintaining restrictions on transactions linked to Russia and Iran.
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Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa, center, waves to supporters from a vehicle outside of the White House, Monday, Nov. 10, 2025, in Washington (AP)
The US Treasury has announced a 180-day suspension of the enforcement of key provisions of the Caesar Act sanctions on Syria, implementing a partial pause that maintains the restrictions solely for transactions that involve Russia and Iran.
The decision followed a meeting at the White House where US President Donald Trump hosted Syrian Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, who reportedly departed the premises afterward without making a statement.
Al Mayadeen’s correspondent in Washington reported that the visit took place under unusually strict protocol, with al-Sharaa entering through a side entrance and journalists kept at a distance, measures interpreted as part of Washington’s efforts to pressure him further toward normalization.
Al Mayadeen’s correspondent also noted increasing objections within Congress to the Trump administration’s approach to the Syrian file, especially concerning its counterterrorism policy.
The first suspension
In May, the Treasury Department issued a general license permitting transactions with the interim Syrian government led by al-Sharaa, as well as with the central bank and state-owned enterprises.
The Treasury described the general license, known as GL25, as authorizing transactions that were previously prohibited under the Syrian Sanctions Regulations, effectively lifting sanctions on Syria. At the time, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that these measures marked the first step toward realizing the President’s vision of a new relationship between Syria and the United States.
Earlier on November 8, the US Treasury Department announced that Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa and interim Interior Minister Anas Khattab have been removed from its Specially Designated Global Terrorist sanctions list.
The State Department also issued a statement highlighting efforts on countering narcotics, eliminating chemical weapons, and enhancing regional security, which read, "These actions are being taken in recognition of the progress demonstrated by the Syrian leadership after the departure of (former President) Bashar al-Assad."
IMF managing director meets al-Sharaa
Earlier, Kristalina Georgieva, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, welcomed al-Sharaa at the IMF’s headquarters in Washington on Sunday.
In a post on X, Georgieva stated: "It was a privilege to welcome President Ahmad al-Sharaa to the IMF. We discussed the economic transformation Syrians need & deserve—which his government is making possible."
It was a privilege to welcome President Ahmad al-Sharaa to the IMF. We discussed the economic transformation Syrians need & deserve—which his government is making possible. I reiterated IMF's readiness to help including through our existing technical support for key institutions. pic.twitter.com/YVnlDUAJfE
— Kristalina Georgieva (@KGeorgieva) November 9, 2025
"I reiterated IMF's readiness to help including through our existing technical support for key institutions," she added.
