President Donald Trump pledged strong U.S. support for Syria’s new leadership on Monday after hosting Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa at the White House — the first visit by a Syrian head of state since the country’s independence in 1946.
The unexpected Oval Office meeting, closed to reporters, underscored Washington’s rapid shift in posture toward Damascus following the fall of Bashar al-Assad last December.
Al-Sharaa, who emerged as interim leader after rebel forces seized control of the capital, entered the building through a secure side access point rather than the traditional ceremonial driveway used for foreign visitors.
He departed two hours later, briefly greeting cheering supporters before leaving in his motorcade.
“We’ll do everything we can to make Syria successful,” Trump said afterward, telling reporters he had “confidence” in al-Sharaa’s ability to lead the country through its post-Assad transition.
In a post on social media, Trump added that he expects additional meetings with the new Syrian president.
During the visit, Syria formally joined the U.S.-led global coalition against the Islamic State group, becoming its 90th member, according to a senior administration official.
The United States will also allow Syria to reopen its embassy in Washington — closed for more than a decade — to improve coordination on counterterrorism, security, and economic policy.
Syria’s Foreign Ministry described the talks as “friendly and constructive,” saying Trump reaffirmed U.S. readiness to support reconstruction and development.
In a Fox News interview, al-Sharaa said he discussed future investment opportunities and emphasized his goal of rebranding Syria as a geopolitical partner rather than a security risk, pointing specifically to U.S. interest in the country’s gas sector.
Al-Sharaa also pressed the administration for a permanent repeal of U.S. sanctions imposed during the Assad era. While Trump has temporarily waived the restrictions under the Caesar Act, lifting them outright would require congressional approval.
Two competing proposals are already emerging on Capitol Hill. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has drafted legislation calling for full, unconditional repeal.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a close Trump ally, supports an alternate plan to lift sanctions but review the decision every six months.
Advocates warn that any conditional or temporary repeal would deter investors. Mouaz Moustafa, executive director of the Syrian Emergency Task Force, compared such an arrangement to a “hanging shadow that paralyses any initiatives for our country.”
The Treasury Department confirmed Monday that the Caesar Act waiver has been extended for another 180 days, keeping the sanctions frozen while Washington and Damascus negotiate the next phase of the bilateral relationship.
