Trump expected to sign executive order easing Syria sanctions

President Trump is expected to sign an executive order soon to ease sanctions on Syria, two sources familiar with the anticipated order tell CBS News.

The expected executive order comes after Mr. Trump announced in May during a trip to the Middle East that the U.S. would lift all sanctions on the country. While in the Middle East, Mr. Trump met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who announced a transitional government in March. The Assad regime collapsed under the weight of an offensive by opposition forces.

Syria's transitional government has been pushing the Trump administration for sanctions relief for months, and some work has been underway to ease some sanctions since before the president's May announcement.

Some sanctions would still need to be formally revoked by Congress, and some sanctions in place on Syria date back to 1979, when Syria was designated a state sponsor of terrorism.

Last month, the Treasury Department issued formal guidance rolling back some sanctions on banks, airlines and al-Shaara. It also released guidelines for approved transactions in Syria, including infrastructure projects. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said at the time that the measures were designed to encourage investment in Syria.