(MENAFN) The United States has announced a partial suspension of Caesar Act sanctions targeting Syria for a period of 180 days, according to reports from the Treasury Department.

This latest measure replaces a previous waiver issued on May 23, which had also provided a 180-day exemption from the mandatory sanctions. As stated in a Treasury advisory, the move underscores "our commitment to continued sanctions relief for Syria."

Under the suspension, most Caesar Act sanctions are paused, with exceptions applying to certain dealings involving the governments of Russia and Iran, or transactions concerning Russian- or Iranian-origin goods, technology, software, funds, financing, or services. Reports indicate that the sanctions still apply to what the advisory describes as "the worst of the worst," including former President Bashar al-Assad and his close associates, while Syria’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism remains under review.

“The United States remains committed to supporting a stable, unified, and peaceful Syria," the advisory stated.

The 2019 Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act has been a cornerstone of U.S. efforts to pressure the former Assad regime, which was ousted last December, ending nearly six decades of Baath Party rule. The sanctions under this act block international investments and restrict economic dealings with the Syrian government and its affiliated entities.

The timing of the suspension coincides with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s historic visit to Washington—the first by a Syrian head of state since the country gained independence in 1946.

In a separate statement, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that the suspension of mandatory Caesar Act sanctions reflects steps taken by the Syrian government following the fall of the Assad regime. “The suspension of Caesar Act sanctions supports Syria’s efforts to rebuild its economy, restore ties with foreign partners, and foster prosperity and peace for all its citizens," he added.

Rubio also emphasized that President Donald Trump has made it clear that the U.S. expects to see "concrete actions" from the Syrian government to move past prior conflicts and work toward regional stability.

The process of lifting U.S. sanctions began after a May meeting between Trump and Sharaa in Saudi Arabia, during which Trump announced plans to ease restrictions. A subsequent executive order in June formally removed comprehensive U.S. sanctions. Additional support for the new Syrian government came through the State Department’s revocation of the Foreign Terrorist Organization designation for al-Nusrah Front, also known as Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), in July, and the removal of Sharaa from the Specially Designated Global Terrorist list on November 7.

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