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U.S. lifts final two arms restrictions on Syria
The United States lifted the final two restrictions under a law concerning chemical and biological weapons imposed on Syria on September 16, 2026. The decision does not mean that arms sales or military financing will be provided to Syria; it only ends the enforcement of sanctions prohibiting these activities.
Washington has lifted the final two sanctions restricting arms sales and military financing for Syria. The decision took effect on September 16, 2026.
An official notice published by the U.S. Department of State in the Federal Register under number 2026-18918 stated that the measure was adopted under a 1991 law concerning efforts to combat chemical and biological weapons.
On August 20, 2026, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security determined that lifting the remaining restrictions was necessary in the national security interests of the United States.
The decision followed the U.S. president's June 30, 2025, decision to waive sanctions imposed on Syria over the Bashar al-Assad government's use of chemical weapons. Despite that decision, two restrictions related to arms sales and military financing had remained in effect.
Expanded waiver
One of the provisions lifted had halted the sale to Syria of defense articles and defense-related design and construction services. The other barred the issuance of licenses for the export to Syria of items included on the U.S. Munitions List.
The waiver also covers the provision that halted all forms of foreign military financing for Syria.
The notice in the Federal Register does not, by itself, mean that the United States will sell arms to Syria or provide military financing to the country. The measure only ends the enforcement of two sanctions under the relevant law that prohibited arms sales and military financing channels.
Changes to the sanctions list
The latest decision continues steps to reduce sanctions and restrictions on Syria. On August 24, 2026, the U.S. Departments of State and the Treasury removed Syria's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism.
Washington also removed Hayat Tahrir al-Sham's designation as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist organization and took the group off the Office of Foreign Assets Control's sanctions list. The office later revoked General License No. 25 concerning Syria, determining that the license, which had authorized transactions otherwise prohibited because of the group's role in the Syrian government, was no longer necessary following the new measures.
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