14.05.2025 14:10
U.S. President Donald Trump held the first official meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara after 25 years. Trump promised to lift the crippling economic sanctions imposed on Syria. However, in return, he asked al-Shara to deport foreign terrorists from his country and to support the U.S. in its fight against ISIS.
U.S. President Donald Trump met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara on the second day of his Middle East tour. This meeting marked the first official encounter between the U.S. and Syria in 25 years.
Trump promised to lift the "economy-paralyzing" sanctions imposed on Syria 50 years ago. In return, he asked al-Shara to expel foreign terrorists from his country and to support the U.S. in its fight against the ISIS terrorist organization.
According to Trump, lifting the sanctions would give Syria a "chance to become a great country again." This step is seen as significant, especially after nearly a century of brutal rule by the Assad family.
Former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad fled the country following a rapid attack by rebels led by al-Shara in December, thus ending 24 years of Assad's regime.
However, al-Shara has a troubled past with the U.S. Previously known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, al-Shara had once joined Al-Qaeda and fought against the U.S. He was captured in Iraq and held in prison by the U.S. for years. The U.S. government had once offered a reward of $10 million for information leading to his capture. Al-Shara is still wanted in Iraq for terrorism-related charges.
Trump's visit to Syria came a day after he signed a massive deal with Saudi Arabia. According to the White House, Trump will sell $142 billion worth of arms to Saudi Arabia. This sale is part of a total $600 billion deal signed after Trump's arrival in Riyadh.
Trump also issued a stern warning to Iran: "Iran must either abandon its nuclear weapons program and choose peace and trade, or prepare for war." He stated that if Iran rejects the olive branch extended to it, the U.S. will apply "maximum pressure" against Iran and "reduce Iranian exports to zero."
The U.S.-Saudi agreement also covers energy, mining, space, and sports sectors. Along with Trump, high-level executives from major companies like SpaceX's owner Elon Musk, BlackRock, and Nvidia also came to the Middle East.
Trump was welcomed with a royal ceremony by Saudi Arabia's de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This is Trump's first official state visit during his second presidential term. He had also made his first state visit to Saudi Arabia in 2016.
During his meetings in the Middle East, Trump will address issues such as Iran's nuclear program, Israel's war in Gaza, and oil prices. He will also try to attract new investments from Gulf countries to the U.S.
President Trump also announced that he could host a possible face-to-face meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during his visit to Turkey on Thursday.