US Reiterates Conditions for Sanctions Relief on Syria

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The United States has reaffirmed that any potential lifting of sanctions on Syria will be contingent on specific conditions laid out by the White House, according to a senior State Department official.

Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott responded to a question from Kurdistan24 correspondent Issa Hassan regarding the future of US sanctions on Damascus.

"This is about giving Syria an opportunity for greatness," Pigott said, echoing statements made by former President Donald Trump. "The President has communicated certain actions, which were detailed in the readout released by the White House and reiterated from this podium — actions Syria should take."

Pigott emphasized that the pathway to sanctions relief is linked to these outlined steps, which aim to promote lasting peace and prosperity in Syria and the broader Middle East.

When asked about the upcoming Arab League summit scheduled for May 17 in Baghdad, and whether US Secretary of State Marco Rubio would attend, Pigott declined to offer specifics, saying, "Nothing to preview on that second question."

The summit in Baghdad is expected to draw high-level delegations from across the region as Arab states continue to re-evaluate their engagement with Syria and broader regional diplomacy.