Tommy Piggott, principal deputy spokesperson at the U.S. Department of State, said the administration wants a Syria that is at peace with itself and its neighbors and that does not allow ISIS to regroup.

“We want to see a Syria that is at peace with itself and with its neighbors. We also want to see a Syria that does not allow ISIS to regroup,” Piggott said during a department video Q&A. He said the administration had announced a cessation of some sanctions “to give Syria that chance at greatness” and that the president recently appointed Thomas Barrack as special envoy to Syria.

Piggott said the envoy has “taken a whole host of very important actions to implement these policies, work with Syria, try to get them to take those steps we want them to take, while also giving them that chance at greatness with a cessation of sanctions.” He framed the steps as part of a longer-term vision for regional peace and U.S. national-security priorities, including preventing the resurgence of ISIS.

The spokesperson did not specify which sanctions were suspended, what conditions would govern their reinstatement, or any timelines for diplomatic steps. He did not provide details about the future of the autonomous Kurdistan region beyond stating a desire for regional peace and stability.