Key facts
- Syria was removed from the U.S. State Department's list of State Sponsors of Terrorism.
- The delisting lifts export restrictions and permits the U.S. to supply military aid to Syria.
- Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa praised the move as a historic decision.
- Turkey's ambassador to Damascus, Nuh Yilmaz, applauded the decision, calling it a step towards normalization.
- The U.S. Treasury announced new sanctions against Iran.
- An oil tanker was struck by an unknown projectile near Oman.
The U.S. State Department has removed Syria from its list of State Sponsors of Terrorism, a designation it held for 47 years. The move, announced by President Donald Trump's administration, aims to lift major barriers to private sector investment and allow the U.S. to supply military aid to the country. Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa praised the delisting as a historic decision and thanked Trump. Turkey's ambassador to Damascus, Nuh Yilmaz, also applauded the decision, calling it a step towards Syria's normalization and regional stability. Concurrently, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced new sanctions against Iran and its enablers, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth did not rule out further military force against Tehran. Separately, Israeli settler attacks in the occupied West Bank saw a 63 percent increase in the first seven months of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. An oil tanker also reported being struck by an unknown projectile nine nautical miles northeast of Oman's Ash Shishah.