Seda Sevencan
14 May 2025•Update: 14 May 2025
ISTANBUL
The US is lifting sanctions on Syria to promote a "fresh start" for the country, US President Donald Trump said Wednesday.
Speaking at a Gulf-US summit in the Saudi capital Riyadh, Trump said the decision came after talking with the leaders of Türkiye and Saudi Arabia.
“After discussing the situation with Crown Prince Mohammed and President (Recep Tayyip) Erdogan of Turkey, I'm also ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria to give them a fresh start. It gives (Syria) a chance for greatness," he said.
He added: "The sanctions were really crippling, very powerful.”
“And I spoke to Mohammed (bin Salman), and I spoke to our friend from Turkey (Erdogan), who we just spoke to also by phone now, but felt very strongly that this would give (Syria) a chance. It's not going to be easy anyway, (but it) gives them a good, strong chance, and it was my honor to do so,” he said.
“So we will be dropping all of the sanctions on Syria, which I think really is going to be a good thing.”
Turning to Gaza, Trump expressed hope for the Palestinian people, saying: “My administration shares the hope of so many in this region for the future of safety and dignity of the Palestinian people.”
“But that cannot happen as long as Gaza's leaders take delight in raping, torturing, and murdering innocent people. Can't have it,” he added.
Trump has been silent on the many credible accusations of Israeli atrocities, including killing tens of thousands of innocents, in both the Gaza Strip and West Bank,
The US president also called for the release of all prisoners in Gaza, describing it as “a stepping stone to peace” adding: “I think it's going to be happening.”
Trump accused former President Joe Biden of having policies that empowered Iran, claiming this contributed to instability in the region.
He urged all nations to enforce unilateral US sanctions on Iran's nuclear program.
“I want to make a deal with Iran, I want to do something, if it's possible. But for that to happen, it must stop sponsoring terror, halt its bloody proxy wars, and permanently and verifiably cease its pursuit of nuclear weapons."
Trump also touched on the appointment of his close friend Michel Issa as US ambassador to Lebanon, saying: “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to forge a Lebanon that is prosperous and at peace with its neighbors. And I think things can really happen there.”
Trump further expressed his desire to expand the Abraham Accords, controversial pacts signed during his first term to normalize diplomatic relations between Israel and Arab nations in the region.
