BBC News / May 14, 2025 / US President Donald Trump has announced that he's removing sanctions from Syria, to give the country "a chance at greatness". The country had been designated a state sponsor of terrorism since 1979, and following the start of the Syrian civil war in 2011, the US government ramped up sanctions. There were celebrations on the streets in Syria when the announcement was made. Speaking from Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, Trump also said the US's relationship with Saudi Arabia was "more powerful than ever before" following the signing of a $142bn arms deal.