US issues general license 25, lifting sanctions on Syria
Date of publication: May 30, 2025
On May 23, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued General License (GL) 25, providing immediate and broad sanctions relief for Syria. This measure follows President Trump’s May 13 announcement to cease all U.S. sanctions on Syria.
GL 25 authorizes transactions otherwise prohibited under the Syrian Sanctions Regulations, effectively lifting key sanctions to support investment, financial services, and trade with the new Syrian government.
The U.S. Department of State simultaneously issued a waiver under the
Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act
, enabling broader international engagement and investment in Syria. The new U.S. policy approach signals support for a reformed Syrian government, on the condition that it does not harbour terrorist organizations and protects ethnic and religious minorities.GL 25 authorizes:
- New investment in Syria
- Financial and other services to Syria
- Trade in Syrian-origin petroleum and petroleum products
- Transactions with the new Government of Syria
- Dealings with certain previously blocked persons listed in the GL Annex
While the general license provides expansive relief, it explicitly excludes any transactions involving Russia, Iran, North Korea, or entities tied to the former Assad regime, war crimes, terrorism, or narcotics trafficking. OFAC’s action is accompanied by an exceptive relief from the
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN)
, which allows U.S. financial institutions to maintain correspondent banking relationships with the Commercial Bank of Syria. Conclusion
The issuance of GL 25 marks a significant shift in U.S. sanctions policy toward Syria, enabling re-engagement with the Syrian economy under the new government.
Businesses and compliance teams should review their risk assessment practices to ensure alignment with the updated regulatory environment
These changes have been updated in ONESOURCE Global Trade Content.
For more information on how ONESOURCE Global Trade solutions can assist you in managing restricted party screening, please contact your Account Manager or Customer Success Manager.