- July 8, 2026
- 10:08 pm
- Middle East
US President Donald Trump met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Ankara on July 8, 2026, on the sidelines of the 36th NATO summit.
The meeting took place in Turkey against the backdrop of several regional processes: the restoration of US relations with the new Syrian government, American pressure for a settlement between Israel and Lebanon, discussions on the future of Hezbollah, and Washington’s attempt to build a new security architecture in the Middle East.
The main news of the meeting was Trump’s decision to remove Syria from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism. This is not a technical detail but one of the most significant shifts in US policy towards Damascus in recent years.
According to Reuters, Trump handed al-Sharaa a letter in which he stated his decision to remove this status. In the letter, the contents of which were obtained by the agency, the American president wrote that he promised to remove all barriers hindering Syria’s reconstruction and that this would become possible “very soon.”
However, the procedure is not yet automatically completed. Trump notified the US Congress, after which a 45-day review period begins. Only after this can Syria’s removal from the list take effect definitively.
For Syria, this is of great importance. The status of a state sponsor of terrorism limits American aid, defense exports, and some financial transactions. Its removal opens the way for Syria’s broader return to the international financial system and potential investments.
Trump explicitly stated that American companies are ready to invest in Syria and participate in its reconstruction. Simultaneously, Reuters reports that Saudi companies are preparing billion-dollar investments, and Gulf countries also promise financial assistance.
Sanctions have already been lifted, but the terrorism list is a separate issue.
It is important to distinguish between two processes.
The first is the lifting of the broad US sanctions program against Syria. On June 30, 2025, Trump signed an order to end this sanctions program, and the decision took effect on July 1, 2025.
But not all sanctions were lifted.
Restrictions remain against Bashar al-Assad and his entourage, human rights violators, participants in the captagon trade, individuals associated with previous Syrian weapons proliferation programs, as well as against ISIS, al-Qaeda affiliates, Iran, and its proxies.
The second process is the removal of Syria from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. This is what Trump spoke about on July 8 in Ankara. Previously, the White House had already ordered a review of Syria’s status, as well as designations related to Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham and al-Sharaa himself, formerly known as Abu Muhammad al-Julani.
This is why the current meeting in Ankara was not just a diplomatic contact. It showed that Washington is ready not only to lift some old restrictions but also to politically recognize the new Syrian government as a participant in the regional game.
Who is Ahmed al-Sharaa and why does this raise questions
Ahmed al-Sharaa is one of the most controversial figures in the new Syria.
Reuters reminds that he was the commander of Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda, until breaking away from this structure in 2016. Later, he led a coalition of Islamist rebel forces that overthrew Bashar al-Assad’s regime at the end of 2024.
At the meeting, Trump publicly praised al-Sharaa and stated that he is respected, including by himself. The American president also associates the new Syrian government with actions against the Islamic State.
For his part, al-Sharaa stated that the Syrian people highly appreciate Trump’s decision to lift sanctions, as well as the support of regional partners, primarily Turkey and the Gulf countries. According to SANA, the Syrian president spoke about “liberating the country,” the fall of the previous regime, and the restoration of Syria’s unity.
In an official SANA statement, it was said that Trump and al-Sharaa discussed Syrian-American relations, ways to strengthen them, and regional events. The parties also emphasized the importance of further coordination on issues that support Syria’s unity and territorial integrity, as well as regional security and stability.
For Israel, there are several sensitive points here.
On one hand, a weakened and destroyed Syria is no longer the same state ally of Iran as it was under Assad.
On the other hand, the new government in Damascus has a complex past, and its real relations with radical structures, Turkey, Gulf countries, and Western players are still forming.
NAnews — Israel News is following this topic in the Israeli context: the question is not only who is sitting in Damascus today but how the new Syria will behave next to Lebanon, the Golan, Iran, and Hezbollah.
Lebanon, Israel, and Hezbollah: what Trump said
A separate part of Trump’s statements concerned Lebanon.
The American president stated that, in his opinion, Israel wants to withdraw its troops from southern Lebanon. Responding to a question about the possibility of such a move, Trump said: “I think they want it.”
He also stated that Israel and Lebanon “have done a fantastic job,” and added: “Israel will leave Lebanon.”
These words were spoken against the backdrop of an American attempt to advance a framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon. According to Al-Monitor, Lebanon, Israel, and the US signed a framework agreement on June 26, 2026, after four days of intensive negotiations at the US State Department in Washington.
The document consists of 14 points. In it, the parties declared their intention to formally end the state of war and continue negotiations under US mediation to reach a broader peace agreement.
One of the key parts of the plan is the so-called “pilot zones” in southern Lebanon. After the withdrawal of Israeli forces, control over them should be taken by the Lebanese army.
But this is where the main problems begin.
According to Ynet, Lebanon demanded that Israel withdraw from two “pilot zones” before participating in the next round of direct negotiations. The negotiations are to take place in Rome on July 15-16, 2026.
The National reports that Lebanon initially refused to participate because Beirut was not properly notified about the relocation of the negotiations to Rome. Later, Lebanon accepted the US invitation. According to the publication, the Lebanese delegation will be civilian, without military representatives.
Another important date is July 21, 2026. On this day, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is scheduled to visit Washington for his first personal meeting with Trump. The main topics should be the Israeli withdrawal, southern Lebanon, and the implementation of the framework agreement.
Why Syria appears here
Amid the discussion of Lebanon, Trump also said that Syria “could help with Hezbollah and Lebanon.”
He did not explain what exactly he meant. This could mean diplomatic pressure, border control, coordination with Lebanon, limiting supply channels, or a broader regional role for Damascus.
But the very fact of such a phrase is important.
Washington, it seems, views the new Syria not only as a country to be brought out of isolation but also as a potential element of pressure on Hezbollah and Iran’s influence network in the region.
For Israel, this could be an opportunity, but also a risk.
If the new Syria indeed distances itself from Iran and limits space for Hezbollah, it could change the balance on Israel’s northern border. But if Washington legitimizes Damascus too quickly without real security guarantees, Israel could face another unpredictable player at its borders.
The American delegation and Congress signal
In Ankara, al-Sharaa met not only with Trump.
On the same day, he held a meeting with the US President’s special envoy for Syria and Iraq, Tom Barrack, and a delegation from the US Congress.
The delegation included Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Chris Coons, Mike Rounds, Dick Durbin, Lindsey Graham, and House Representative Michael Turner. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani was also present at the meeting.
Barrack called the event of enormous historical significance. According to him, it confirms Syria’s key role in shaping the future of the Middle East and determining its direction at a highly sensitive regional moment.
This wording shows how Washington now views Damascus.
Syria is no longer seen only as a war-torn country after Assad’s dictatorship. The US is trying to turn it into part of a new regional construct, where Turkey, Gulf countries, Israel, Lebanon, and American interests are simultaneously present.
What this means for Israel
For Israel, the meeting between Trump and al-Sharaa is not a distant Syrian story.
This event is directly related to the northern border, Lebanon, Hezbollah, Iran, and the future American pressure on Jerusalem.
The US wants to stabilize Lebanon, achieve the withdrawal of Israeli forces from parts of the southern regions, and transfer control to the Lebanese army. At the same time, Washington wants to show that the new Syria can be not part of the Iranian axis but part of the American regional scheme.
Israel in such a situation faces a complex choice.
On one hand, any opportunity to weaken Hezbollah, reduce Iran’s role, and stabilize the northern border is of strategic importance.
On the other hand, too rapid legitimization of the new Syrian government without strict guarantees could create a new threat, especially if behind beautiful statements there is no real control over armed groups, borders, and supply channels.
The main question after Ankara is: can Washington turn Syria and Lebanon into part of a new security system — or will Israel once again face a situation where political agreements are signed, but threats at the border remain.
One thing is clear: on July 8, 2026, in Ankara, Trump did not just meet with al-Sharaa. He signaled that the US is ready to return Syria to regional politics — and at the same time link this process with Lebanon, Hezbollah, and Israel’s security.