President Trump has now reportedly announced the lifting of sanctions on Syria, providing the country with critical financial support following the overthrow of its long-standing dictator late last year.
During a foreign-policy address in Riyadh, Trump stated, “I will be ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria. Now it’s their time to shine. We’re taking them all off.”
This move sets the stage for a meeting between Trump and the newly appointed Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Wednesday in Saudi Arabia, which the White House has characterized as a brief introductory encounter.
This announcement marked an eventful first day of Trump’s Middle East trip.
He signed $300 billion in investment agreements with Saudi Arabia, with plans to double that amount within four years. Trump praised Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, declaring, “We will always be friends.”
He also encouraged Saudi Arabia to pursue normalization with Israel as circumstances allow, despite ongoing conflict in Gaza and the lack of progress toward Palestinian self-rule.
In addition to these developments, Trump issued a stern warning to Iran regarding its nuclear ambitions.
He stated, “One way or another, make your move,” indicating that Iran would face “massive maximum pressure” if it does not curtail its nuclear activities soon. “The offer will not last forever,” he cautioned.
Overall, the key takeaway from Trump’s first day in the region is his focus on the transactional nature of U.S.-Gulf relations: as long as investment flows into the American economy, the U.S. will maintain its engagement and close ties with the Gulf states.
[READ MORE: Trump Embarks on Ground Breaking Trip to the Middle East]
