U.S. Press Release: Revoking the Foreign Terrorist
Organization Designation of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham
(July 7, 2025)
In a landmark policy shift, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the United States will remove the terrorist designation from the al-Nusrah Front effective July 8, 2025. Citing recent political reforms in Syria and the Trump administration’s broader strategy to ease sanctions and promote regional stability, Rubio emphasized the move is aimed at encouraging continued moderation among former extremist factions.
In line with President Trump’s May 13 promise to deliver sanctions relief to Syria, I am announcing my intent to revoke the Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) designation of al-Nusrah Front, also known as Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), under the Immigration and Nationality Act. This revocation will be effective tomorrow, July 8.
Tomorrow’s action follows the announced dissolution of HTS and the Syrian government’s commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms. This action also builds on the momentum of the June 30 Executive Order ‘Providing for the Revocation of Syria Sanctions’ and recognizes the positive actions taken by the new Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa. This FTO revocation is an important step in fulfilling President Trump’s vision of a stable, unified, and peaceful Syria.
Source: “Revoking the Foreign Terrorist Organization Designation of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham,” U.S. Department of State, (July 7, 2025).
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