White House executive order to end Syria sanctions; State Department outlines limits and next steps

The State Department spokesperson said the president planned to sign an executive order terminating the U.S. sanctions program on Syria, while preserving targeted measures against specific individuals and groups.

The spokesperson said the order "will remove sanctions on Syria while, maintaining sanctions on the former president Assad, his associates, human rights abusers, drug traffickers, persons linked to chemical weapons activities, ISIS members and their affiliates, and Iranian proxies." The spokesperson added that Treasury handles sanctions implementation and that the White House and the department will coordinate on next steps.

Why it matters: Ending a broad Syria sanctions program would alter the U.S. economic relationship with the Syrian state while keeping penalties on named actors. The State Department framed the action as part of an effort "to promote and support the country's path towards stability and peace." The spokesperson also cited the role of the administration's special envoy in implementing U.S. diplomatic support.

Details from the briefing: The spokesperson said the order was imminent, noting the president "is going to sign an executive order to terminate The US sanctions program on Syria," and that Treasury, the White House and the department would be involved in applying and implementing the change. The spokesperson said the order would continue to leave in place sanctions on individuals and entities linked to Assad, chemical-weapons activities, ISIS and Iranian proxies.

What remains unspecified: The spokesperson did not provide a full list of specific sanctions to be removed or a detailed timetable for implementation, and directed questions about sanctions enforcement to Treasury. The transcript records that the department would rely on the Treasury Department for sanction application and enforcement, and that State Department personnel — including the administration's special envoy — would play a diplomatic role.

Outlook: The spokesperson said the action reflects the president's stated objective of supporting a stable Syria and that additional briefings would follow as the agencies coordinate implementation.

Ending note: The spokesperson closed the topic by noting the administration’s broader diplomatic agenda and saying further briefings would occur as officials implement the order.