 "Syria sanctions lifted, next could be Iran: Trump after meeting Netanyahu")
US President Donald Trump has suggested that the US could lift sanctions on Iran after doing so for Syria a few weeks ago. His comments came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met the US President at the White House on Monday.
“We took the sanctions off [Syria] because we want to give them a chance … and I would love to be able to — at the right time — take those sanctions off [Iran], give them a chance at rebuilding, because I’d like to see Iran build itself back up in a peaceful manner,” Trump said.
Last week, Trump signed an executive order to end all sanctions against Syria, paving the way for the country to “stabilise in peace” and support its growth. The White House, however, warned that it will be monitoring the new Syrian government’s actions, including “taking concrete steps toward normalising ties with Israel” as well as “addressing foreign terrorists.”
Meanwhile, on July 3, Trump imposed a fresh wave of sanctions against Iranian oil exports after Iran and Israel reached a ceasefire following the 12-day conflict, which was joined by Washington later.
“Iran’s behaviour has left it decimated. While it has had every opportunity to choose peace, its leaders have chosen extremism,” US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said at the time.
US revokes terrorist designation for HTS
Trump’s administration on Monday revoked the foreign terrorist organisation designation for Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, as Washington moves to remove US sanctions on Syria to help the country rebuild following years of civil war.
In December, Islamist rebels led by HTS ousted Syria’s former president, Bashar al-Assad, in a lightning offensive. Then, HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa became Syria’s president and stated that he wanted to build an inclusive and democratic Syria.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsHTS was previously known as al-Nusra Front when it was al-Qaeda’s Syria branch. It broke off ties with al-Qaeda in 2016.
Trump-Netanyahu meeting
Trump hosted Netanyahu for dinner at the White House as the two leaders met for the first time since the Israel-Iran conflict.
Netanyahu’s third visit since Trump’s return to power comes at a crucial time, with the US president hoping to capitalise on the momentum from a recent truce between Israel and Iran.
“I don’t think there is a hold up. I think things are going along very well,” Trump said, referring to the Gaza ceasefire.
Sitting on the opposite side of a long table from the Israeli leader, Trump also voiced confidence that Hamas was willing to end the conflict in Gaza, which is entering its 22nd month.
With inputs from agencies
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
