Trump Ends Syria Sanctions, Escalates Threats Against Iran, and Pushes Riyadh on Abraham Accords at Saudi Forum
During investment summit in Riyadh, Trump unveils sweeping Middle East strategy: lifting sanctions on Syria, renewing pressure on Iran, eyeing Gaza war, and urging Saudi Arabia to join Abraham Accords
Saudi Arabia, PUREWILAYAH.COM - U.S. President Donald Trump announced a landmark decision to lift all sanctions on Syria during the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum held at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh. The announcement came in response to a request from Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, as part of broader regional consultations during Trump’s Middle East tour.
Describing the sanctions as “brutal and crippling,” Trump declared that they had “outlived their purpose” and would be removed entirely.
“I will be ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria in order to give them a chance at greatness,” he said.
“Now, it’s their time to shine. We’re taking them all off. So I say, Good luck Syria, show us something very special—like they’ve done, frankly, in Saudi Arabia.”
The decision marks a major shift in U.S. policy toward Damascus and comes despite long-standing concerns regarding the country’s human rights record and the unresolved status of its internal governance.
No Guarantees for Syrian Minorities as Sanctions Lifted
The U.S. had previously maintained strict sanctions on Syria under Bashar al-Assad’s regime, continuing even after Assad’s ouster in December, which ended more than 13 years of conflict. The Trump administration had repeatedly stated that any relief from sanctions would be contingent upon demonstrable progress in safeguarding minority rights and implementing democratic reforms.
Despite this, Trump’s decision was made without securing any new guarantees related to the protection of ethnic or religious minorities within Syria.
A U.S. official confirmed that Trump is scheduled to hold a brief meeting with Syria’s interim leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, who is expected to arrive in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.
“The president agreed to say hello to the Syrian president while in Saudi Arabia tomorrow,” a White House official said anonymously. The comment acknowledged growing concerns from Israel regarding the direction of Syria’s transitional leadership.
Israel has conducted multiple airstrikes on Syrian territory both before and after the regime change in December, reflecting Tel Aviv’s unease about Syria’s shifting political landscape.
Syrian Officials Welcome Sanctions Lift as ‘Turning Point’
Syria’s Foreign Minister, Assaad al-Shibani, hailed the U.S. decision as a breakthrough moment for his nation. Speaking to the Syrian state-run news agency SANA, he called the lifting of sanctions a “pivotal turning point for the Syrian people, as we move towards a future of stability, self-sufficiency, and genuine reconstruction after years of destructive war.”
Al-Shibani echoed those sentiments in a post on X (formerly Twitter), describing Trump’s move as a “new start” for Syria’s national rebuilding efforts.
In an interview with Reuters, the foreign minister added that President Trump’s decision could pave the way for “a historic peace deal” and potentially mark “a victory for U.S. interests in Syria.”
Trump Renews Threats Against Iran with ‘Maximum Pressure’ Doctrine
While extending an olive branch to Syria, Trump adopted a hardline tone toward Iran. During the same address, he accused Tehran of being the “most destructive force” in the Middle East and blamed it for sowing instability across the region.
“Iran will never have a nuclear weapon,” Trump declared, insisting that Tehran must choose between “chaos and terror” or a path toward peace.
He warned that failure to engage in nuclear diplomacy would prompt the U.S. to once again impose devastating sanctions, reminiscent of his 2018 campaign to cut Iranian oil exports to zero.
“If Iran’s leadership rejects this olive branch and continues to attack their neighbours,” Trump said, “then we will have no choice but to inflict massive maximum pressure.”
These remarks came despite ongoing criticism from analysts and observers who argue that Israel’s decades-long occupation, repeated assaults on Gaza, and destabilizing military actions in Lebanon and Syria remain central causes of violence in the region. Critics also note the hypocrisy of Washington’s unconditional military and diplomatic support for Israel while vilifying other regional actors.
Eyeing Gaza War
Trump also addressed the war on Gaza, pledging U.S. efforts to bring about a ceasefire and to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas.
“We’ve been working tirelessly to bring back all hostages held by Hamas,” Trump said, citing the recent release of American-Israeli captive Edan Alexander as progress.
“We continue to work to get that war ended as quickly as possible,” he added. “It’s a horrible thing that’s taking place.”
The former president’s remarks came amid growing international condemnation of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and calls for a comprehensive ceasefire.
Trump Calls on Saudi Arabia to Join Abraham Accords
In a significant diplomatic overture, Trump expressed his desire for Saudi Arabia to formally join the Abraham Accords—a series of normalization agreements brokered during his first term between Israel and several Arab nations, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco.
“It’s been an amazing thing, the Abraham Accords,” Trump said.
“And it’s my fervent hope, wish, and even my dream that Saudi Arabia… will soon be joining.”
He praised Riyadh’s recent political and economic developments, calling it a "tremendous tribute" to the Kingdom’s leadership.
Trump emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s participation in the Abraham Accords would be a “game-changer” for the region’s future, potentially solidifying a long-term strategic alliance between Gulf Arab states and Israel. (PW)
Source: Al-Mayadeen