Al-Sharaa Faces U.S. Pressure to Normalize with Israel in Exchange for Sanctions Relief

Syrian Interim Government President Ahmad Al-Sharaa is facing intense U.S. pressure to sign a security agreement with Israel, expected to be proposed on Wednesday or Thursday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meetings.

According to diplomatic sources, Al-Sharaa discussed with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio key issues including counterterrorism, the case of missing American nationals in Syria, and the significance of Syrian-Israeli relations for regional security.

The proposed talks include repositioning Syrian army units in the south, replacing them with internal security forces, and withdrawing heavy weaponry, in exchange for Israeli commitments to halt airstrikes. Israel is also demanding the freedom to use Syrian airspace against Iran and to maintain monitoring posts on Mount Hermon (Jabal al-Sheikh) and Tell al-Hara.

Washington, according to informed sources, is also pressuring religious leader Sheikh Hikmat Al-Hijri to accept the deployment of government forces led by Suleiman Abdel Baqi in Sweida. However, Al-Sharaa rejects normalization with Israel before attacks cease and insists on discussing security concerns through intermediaries.

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham has expressed support for lifting sanctions on Damascus if progress is made in the agreement. Yet observers warn that the interim government’s weak position may push it to make political and security concessions, while Washington sees the agreement as a possible gateway to broader regional stability.