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U.S. Lifts Syria Weapons Blacklist, Restores Case Licensing

By Drooid · Oct 1, 2026, 12:19 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

The United States removed Syria from the weapons-sale blacklist, allowing case-by-case licensing.
The U.S. State Department announced the ITAR amendment in a Federal Register notice.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio rescinded Syria’s state-sponsor-of-terrorism designation in August.
Only Belarus, China, Cuba, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea and Venezuela remain on the denial list.
Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa seeks stronger U.S. ties, sanctions relief, and a reopened Damascus embassy.

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Story summary

The United States removed Syria from the weapons-sale blacklist, allowing case-by-case licensing.
The U.S. State Department announced the ITAR amendment in a Federal Register notice.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio rescinded Syria’s state-sponsor-of-terrorism designation in August.
Only Belarus, China, Cuba, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea and Venezuela remain on the denial list.
Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa seeks stronger U.S. ties, sanctions relief, and a reopened Damascus embassy.