Baghdad Hails Trump’s Move to Lift Syria Sanctions, Praises Saudi Mediation
The ministry emphasized the importance of supporting Syria’s recovery and applauded the diplomatic efforts led by Saudi Arabia, particularly by King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Iraq’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of plans to lift long-standing sanctions on Syria, calling it a potentially pivotal step toward ending the country’s protracted humanitarian and economic crisis.
In a formal statement issued on Tuesday, Iraq expressed hope that Washington’s move would contribute to regional stability and alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people. The ministry emphasized the importance of supporting Syria’s recovery and applauded the diplomatic efforts led by Saudi Arabia, particularly by King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
“The Republic of Iraq welcomes the announcement by President Donald Trump of his intention to lift sanctions on the sisterly Syrian Arab Republic,” the statement read. “We hope this decision will support the path toward stability sought by the Syrian people and help end their extended suffering from the humanitarian and economic crisis.”
The ministry praised Saudi Arabia’s “intensive diplomatic efforts” that helped bring about the initiative, underscoring the importance of Arab solidarity during what it described as a critical moment in regional affairs. It also reiterated Iraq’s commitment to strengthening cooperation among Arab nations in pursuit of shared interests.
Beyond expressing regional solidarity, the ministry stressed the need for comprehensive international cooperation to resolve the Syrian conflict. “We hope this step marks the beginning of a new phase of international collaboration to end the Syrian crisis,” it said, calling for peaceful solutions that preserve Syria’s unity and sovereignty while guaranteeing the rights of all its people.
The statement concluded with a call to confront terrorism in all its forms and to prevent its resurgence in the region.
A Shifting Diplomatic Landscape
President Trump’s decision to lift U.S. sanctions on Syria comes amid a rapidly evolving geopolitical environment in the Middle East. Ahmad al-Sharaa, a former insurgent commander who once fought against U.S. forces in Iraq, recently assumed the Syrian presidency after leading his coalition in an offensive that ousted the Assad regime in late 2024.
Trump, who returned to office in January 2025, has signaled a willingness to re-engage diplomatically with Syria under its new leadership. His decision to meet with al-Sharaa during a Middle East tour and lift sanctions represents a major shift in U.S. policy, one that has been cautiously welcomed by several Arab nations.
Iraq’s support for the move reflects a broader regional trend toward reintegrating Syria into the Arab diplomatic fold, despite the complexities posed by al-Sharaa’s past affiliations and the fragile security situation on the ground.
