US Removes Syria From Arms Export Ban As Trump Administration Deepens Ties With Damascus

The United States has removed Syria from a list of countries subject to a blanket ban on importing US weapons, marking another step in the Trump administration’s efforts to ease restrictions and strengthen ties with the new government in Damascus.

The US State Department amended its International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to remove Syria from the countries covered by a policy of denial for licences and other approvals involving US defence articles and services. The rule takes effect on October 1, 2026, with future arms requests from Syria to be reviewed case by case, rather than automatically rejected.

The decision follows a defence trade policy approved by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on August 19, which allowed the United States to consider defence transfers to Syria individually. Earlier in August, Rubio formally rescinded Syria’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, after the required congressional notification period.

Washington has taken several steps to ease restrictions on Syria since President Donald Trump directed sanctions relief in 2025. The administration has also announced plans to reopen the US Embassy in Damascus, which has been closed since 2012.

The latest move comes after the overthrow of former Syrian President Bashar Assad in December 2024. The country's current leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, a former rebel leader, has sought closer relations with Washington as his government attempts to rebuild after years of civil war.

The US had previously retained restrictions on arms sales even as it eased other Syria-related sanctions. In September, the State Department also waived remaining restrictions related to arms sales and arms-sale financing under US chemical and biological weapons sanctions law.

With Syria removed from the ITAR policy-of-denial list, seven countries remain subject to the blanket US policy: Belarus, China, Cuba, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea and Venezuela.

The policy shift also comes as the United States completes its military withdrawal from Iraq. Washington has indicated that Syria's government could have a greater role in preventing a resurgence of the Islamic State, which previously operated across parts of Syria and Iraq.

The change does not mean Syria has automatically been cleared to purchase US weapons. Any proposed transfer will still require the relevant US licences and approvals and will be assessed individually under the revised rules.