Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — In a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, President Donald Trump met with Syria’s interim president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in the Saudi capital.
This encounter marked the first meeting between a U.S. president and a Syrian leader in a quarter-century, signaling a potential recalibration of relations following the overthrow of the Bashar al-Assad regime. Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammad al Jolani, rose to prominence as a former Islamist militant and leader of Hayat Tahrir al Sham, a key faction involved in the conflict that led to Assad’s fall.
The meeting followed a pivotal announcement made by President Trump the previous day, Tuesday, May 13, during his visit to Saudi Arabia. Speaking publicly, the U.S. president stated that the United States would lift its comprehensive sanctions on Syria, asserting the move was intended to “give them a chance at greatness.”
Key Discussions and Demands
Sources familiar with the discussions indicated that President Trump used the meeting to outline key expectations and demands of the new Syrian leadership under al-Sharaa. Foremost among these was the reported urging for Syria to normalize ties with Israel by joining the U.S.-backed Abraham Accords, a series of normalization agreements between Israel and various Arab nations.
Additionally, President Trump reportedly pressed al-Sharaa on critical security issues facing the region. This included demands to actively work towards the removal of foreign terrorists operating within Syria’s borders and to help prevent the resurgence of the Islamic State group (ISIS), which previously controlled vast swathes of territory in Syria and Iraq.
A particularly pressing concern raised was the fate of individuals held in detention centers across Syria suspected of being ISIS fighters or affiliates. President Trump reportedly urged the al-Sharaa government to assume responsibility for these ISIS detention centers, a complex and resource-intensive challenge with significant international implications.
Regional Presence and Broader Context
The meeting in Riyadh took place with the notable presence of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, underscoring the Kingdom’s central role in regional dynamics and potentially its mediating efforts in the post-Assad landscape. Furthermore, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reportedly joined the high-level discussion remotely, highlighting the interests and influence of other major regional players in Syria’s future.
The meeting and sanctions lifting are part of President Trump’s broader visit to Saudi Arabia, which also featured significant economic diplomacy.
Economic Dimensions of the Visit
Accompanying the political developments was the announcement of a massive economic commitment from Saudi Arabia to the United States. This commitment totaled a substantial $600 billion in investments across various sectors of the U.S. economy. The areas targeted for this investment include energy, technology, infrastructure, healthcare, defense, and sports, reflecting a wide-ranging economic partnership.
A major component of this package was a defense sales agreement valued at nearly $142 billion, signifying significant military and security cooperation between Washington and Riyadh.
The White House characterized this sprawling investment commitment as the “largest set of commercial agreements ever” concluded between the two countries, emphasizing the depth and breadth of the economic ties being forged during the visit.
The convergence of high-stakes political meetings, significant shifts in sanctions policy, and colossal economic agreements underscores the multifaceted nature of President Trump’s engagement in the Middle East during this period.
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