Trump says US ‘satisfied’ with progress in Syria

ISTANBUL

US President Donald Trump said Monday that Washington was “very satisfied” with developments in Syria under its new leadership.

“The United States is very satisfied with the results displayed, through hard work and determination, in the country of Syria,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.

He added that Washington is “doing everything within our power to make sure the government of Syria continues to ... build a true and prosperous country.”

Trump argued that sanctions relief had strengthened Syria’s political transition following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in late 2024.

“One of the things that has helped them greatly was my termination of very strong and biting sanctions — I believe this was truly appreciated by Syria, its leadership, and its people,” he wrote.

A series of US sanctions have already been lifted, including the delisting of senior Syrian officials from UN and US terror-related sanctions.

The lifting of remaining sanctions, particularly the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, requires action from Congress, though the administration can waive them for 180-day periods, as it did in November.

Syria-Israel relations

Trump also urged regional restraint. “It is very important that Israel maintain a strong and true dialogue with Syria, and that nothing takes place that will interfere with Syria’s evolution into a prosperous state,” he said.

Trump praised Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, saying he is “working diligently” to ensure that “good things happen” for both countries.

“This is a historic opportunity ... for peace in the Middle East,” he said.

His comments came amid continuing Israeli air and ground operations inside Syria. Since December 2024, Syria has recorded more than 1,000 Israeli airstrikes and over 400 cross-border raids, as well as expansion of its occupation of the Syrian Golan Heights by seizing the demilitarized buffer zone, a move that violated a 1974 agreement.

Sharaa has said a permanent peace with Israel requires withdrawal to pre-Dec. 8 borders.

Syrian president visited Washington in November as his government seeks to expand cooperation with regional and international partners in various fields after more than a decade of civil war.