Antalya: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the transformative potential of a peaceful and stable Syria during his remarks in the southern Turkish resort city of Antalya. He suggested that such a development would be "one of the most dramatic improvements in the region in a very long time," highlighting Washington's support for Syria's new leadership under President Ahmad al-Sharaa.

According to Anadolu Agency, Rubio's comments followed a significant meeting between US President Donald Trump and President al-Sharaa in Riyadh, marking the highest-level US-Syria contact since the ousting of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December. Trump had earlier announced his intention to lift US sanctions on Syria, describing the meeting with al-Sharaa as "great." Rubio noted that the new Syrian leadership is committed to rebuilding the country as a pluralistic society and expressed Syria's interest in maintaining peace with its neighbors and eliminating foreign fighters and terrorists.

Rubio stated that while the US is eager to assist, any aid would be contingent on Syria making tangible progress. He mentioned the potential of approaching Congress to seek the permanent removal of sanctions, starting with an initial waiver to enable foreign aid without the risk of sanctions.

In Antalya, Rubio participated in a trilateral meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. Following the departure of Fidan, Rubio and al-Shaibani continued their discussions. State Department Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott confirmed that the administration is moving forward with implementing the president's decision to lift sanctions, although specifics on the conditions for full removal were not disclosed.

President Trump, during the 2025 Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh, announced his decision to lift the "brutal and crippling" US sanctions on Syria. This decision followed discussions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Trump's meeting with al-Sharaa, attended by bin Salman and with Erdogan participating online, was described as "great," with Trump praising al-Sharaa as a "tough guy" with a "strong past."

The regime of Bashar al-Assad, Syria's leader for nearly 25 years, ended when he fled to Russia on December 8, 2024, concluding the Baath Party's rule that began in 1963.