(MENAFN) The U.S. Treasury Department declared on Monday that it has partially paused the enforcement of the Caesar Act sanctions against Syria for a period of 180 days.

This suspension supersedes the waiver issued on May 23, which had also provided a 180-day exemption from mandatory Caesar Act measures.

According to an advisory from the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the action signifies "our commitment to continued sanctions relief for Syria."

Under the new directive, the application of Caesar Act sanctions will be suspended, except for specific dealings that involve the governments of Russia or Iran.

The restriction also remains in effect for the movement or exchange of Russian- or Iranian-origin goods, technology, software, funds, financial assistance, or services, as outlined in the advisory.

The department emphasized that punitive measures will continue against what it described as "the worst of the worst," including former President Bashar al-Assad and his close circle.

Additionally, the review of Syria’s State Sponsor of Terrorism (SST) designation is ongoing.
“The United States remains committed to supporting a stable, unified, and peaceful Syria," the Treasury advisory reaffirmed.

Enacted in 2019, the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act has been a cornerstone of U.S. strategy aimed at exerting pressure on Assad’s former regime.

That government was ousted last December, bringing an end to the Baath Party’s rule, which had lasted since 1963.

The sanctions have long hindered international investment and economic cooperation involving the Syrian authorities and their affiliates.

This policy change coincided with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s historic trip to Washington — the first visit by a Syrian leader since the nation achieved independence in 1946.

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