Trump signed five previous executive orders that were central to the Syria sanctions framework and instructs federal agencies to start lifting other restrictions enforced by Congress, export laws, and additional regulatory measures, according to foreign media reports.

Trump has earlier announced to lift US sanctions on Syria during his visit to Saudi Arabia.

While temporary easing measures had already been introduced in late May, Monday’s order makes these changes permanent and officially cements the sanctions relief.

Additionally, the directive urges government agencies to review penalties that cannot be lifted by presidential authority alone, such as those tied to the Caesar Act which require Congress’s approval.

Signed order also instructs officials to look into the possibility of removing Syria from the list of state sponsors of terrorism and re-evaluating the terrorist designation on Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), now led by Syria’s new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa.

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It is pertinent to note that US has imposed sanctions on Syria since 1979, when it declared Syria as a state sponsor of terrorism. These sanctions were expanded in 2004 and further toughened in 2011, as the Obama administration responded to former President Bashar al-Assad’s brutal crackdown on anti-government demonstrators.

However, the political dynamics in Syria have shifted dramatically since Assad’s regime was ousted last December. Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former Islamist fighter, now heads a transitional government that aims to guide Syria away from decades of authoritarianism.

Now Trump’s order has moved many humanitarian organizations to work in the territory which were earlier hindered due to US sanctions.

However, sanctions will still apply to Assad himself, his close associates and individuals or groups considered threats to regional stability, as well as measures restricting the spread of weapons of mass destruction, US officials clarified.