Ahmed al-Sharaa, head of Syria’s transitional government, and his Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani met on Saturday with Thomas Barrack, the U.S. President’s envoy to Syria, in Istanbul. The meeting took place during al-Sharaa’s visit to Turkey, where he also met with President Erdoğan.

On the meeting, the U.S. Embassy in Syria issued an official statement:

Today, I met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani in Istanbul to implement President Trump’s bold decision to provide a path for peace and prosperity in Syria. President al-Sharaa praised America’s fast action on lifting sanctions,… pic.twitter.com/m63iiZTGLL

— Ambassador Tom Barrack (@USAMBTurkiye) May 24, 2025

In his first meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy for Syria, Thomas Barrack, Syrian transitional president Ahmed al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani discussed the implementation of President Trump’s recent decision aimed at promoting economic stability in Syria. Al-Sharaa welcomed the swift steps taken by the U.S., particularly the temporary 180-day suspension of Caesar Act sanctions and measures by the Treasury Department to ease economic restrictions—moves seen as enabling regional and international investment to help rebuild Syria’s war-torn economy.

Barrack to al-Sharaa: The U.S. Stands with the Syrian People

Barrack reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to supporting the Syrian population, emphasizing that the sanctions relief serves Washington’s broader goal of ensuring the lasting defeat of ISIS. He commended the Syrian government for concrete actions in counterterrorism, improving regional relations, and addressing the situation in camps and detention centers in northeastern Syria—steps seen as signaling a shift toward rebuilding the Syrian state and creating a more stable environment.

Barrack – al-Sharaa: Agreement to Continue Dialogue

Both parties agreed to continue dialogue aimed at boosting private sector investment. International and regional stakeholders—including Turkey, the Gulf countries, and the European Union—have expressed interest in participating in reconstruction efforts. Ambassador Barrack noted that lifting sanctions opens the door for Syria’s reintegration into the international arena as a stable and prosperous state, affirming both countries’ shared commitment to swift progress toward that goal.

Statement from U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack on his meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani

I met today with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani in Istanbul to implement President Trump’s bold decision to establish a path toward… https://t.co/hJthcAaEYq

— U.S. Embassy Syria (@USEmbassySyria) May 24, 2025

Thomas Barrack was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Ankara and designated as President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy for Syria in mid-May, following Trump’s announcement to lift sanctions during his recent visit to “al-Noqta” on May 13.