US President Donald Trump stated on Monday that Washington is considering lifting sanctions on Syria, a move the Syrian Foreign Ministry welcomed, describing it as one that “promotes stability and development” in the country and the region.

"We're going to have to make a decision on the sanctions, which we may very well relieve. We may take them off Syria because we want to give them a fresh start," Trump told reporters at the White House.

He further stated that the way the United States has imposed sanctions does not provide much of a starting point for them and that they aim to see if they can assist, adding that the decision will be made accordingly.

In response to Trump’s comments, the Syrian Foreign Ministry issued a statement, saying, “While these sanctions were originally imposed on the former dictatorial Assad regime and contributed to its end, they now directly impact the Syrian people and obstruct the path to post-war recovery and reconstruction.”

The ministry emphasized that Syrians aspire to a full lifting of these sanctions, as part of broader efforts to support peace and prosperity in Syria and the region, with measures that “pave the way for constructive international cooperation that promotes stability and development.”

Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in 2024, Syria has faced immense challenges in rebuilding its economy due to ongoing international sanctions. The economy has contracted by 84% from 2010 to 2023, with more than 90% of Syrians living below the poverty line.

Key sectors such as oil, agriculture, and tourism have been severely impacted, and sanctions have obstructed humanitarian aid, financial transactions, and access to essential services.

In 2025, signs of potential policy shifts emerged as the US approved Qatar’s initiative to fund public-sector salaries in Syria. President Trump also signaled the possibility of easing sanctions in response to Syria’s economic challenges. Despite these developments, many sanctions tied to the Assad regime remain, leaving Syria's recovery prospects uncertain.

Additionally, Syria continues to urge other countries, including European nations, to lift sanctions. Last week, French President Macron met Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Paris and expressed support for a gradual lifting of EU sanctions, following Syria's request to ease sanctions imposed during the Assad era.