USA removes Syria from the list of countries banned from exporting defense materials

The Ministry reported that with the amendment made to the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), Syria was removed from the list of countries where licenses for the export and import of defense materials and services were rejected.

In the final regulation published in the Federal Register, it was stated that the change was made in line with the new defense trade policy decision taken by the Minister of Foreign Affairs on August 19, 2026.

It was noted that within the scope of the new policy, applications for defense material and service transfer to Syria will be examined and licensed on a case-by-case basis, instead of the comprehensive rejection policy previously implemented by ITAR.

In the statement, it was stated that the change in status took place after the necessary legal conditions, including the annulment of the decision to support terrorism, were met and exemption from some restrictions under relevant US laws.

The USA enacted the first defense trade restriction against Syria on December 29, 1979.