U.S. President Donald Trump has declared that he will lift sanctions on Syria. A fundamental change is detected in U.S. Middle East policy.
On the 13th (local time), President Trump announced during the keynote speech at the 'U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum' held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, that he would lift all sanctions on Syria.
Trump stated, "Now it is Syria's time to shine," adding, "Their time has come."
He further explained, "I believe the people of Syria want peace and that their spirit is alive."
Trump explained that this decision was made at the request of Middle Eastern leaders, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The United States severed diplomatic relations with Syria in the following year after the outbreak of civil war under the regime of President Bashar al-Assad in 2011, amid controversies over human rights violations. If diplomatic relations are restored, it would be the first time in 13 years.
Notably, Trump expressed hope that "the new Syrian government will succeed," effectively recognizing the interim government established by the Syrian rebels who ousted the Assad dictatorship last December.
Earlier, some media reported that Trump might meet Ahmed al-Shara, the interim president of Syria, who is a former rebel, during his tour of the Middle East.
Trump also replied, "That seems likely."
The Times of London reported that al-Shara proposed a 'mineral agreement' related to the development of his country's natural resources to Trump. It raises the possibility that economic interests influenced the change in U.S. policy.
Additionally, Trump sent a strong message to Iran, which is currently in nuclear negotiations.
He warned, "Iran must never have nuclear weapons," and stated that if attacks on neighboring countries continue, he would re-activate the 'maximum pressure' strategy.
However, he left open the possibility of negotiation, stating, "I do not believe in the concept of eternal enemies," and that he wants to make a transaction with Iran.
On that day, Trump and Crown Prince bin Salman signed a strategic economic partnership agreement. Trump emphasized, "With the visit to Saudi Arabia, investments in the U.S. have increased by $1 trillion (approximately 1,420 trillion won)."
Militarily, he stated, "Our great Saudi partners purchased $14.2 billion worth of U.S. military equipment," calling it "the largest scale ever."