Trump Praises Developments in Syria, Calls for Strong Dialogue Between Damascus and Tel Aviv

U.S. President Donald Trump expressed satisfaction with the “results achieved” in Syria, affirming that Washington is working “with full effort” to support stability in the country and help it transition into “a real and prosperous state,” according to a post on his “Truth Social” platform.

Trump said the United States “is doing everything it can to ensure that the Syrian transitional government continues to do what is intended,” noting that the lifting of recent U.S. sanctions has, in his view, contributed to improving conditions inside Syria. He added, “I believe that Syria, its leadership, and its people truly appreciated that.”

The U.S. president argued that maintaining a “strong and genuine dialogue” between Syria and Israel is essential, stressing that this dialogue should not be hindered by tensions that could obstruct “Syria’s development into a prosperous state.” He also praised the work of Syria’s interim prime minister, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, saying he is “working hard to ensure good things happen,” and suggesting that the relationship between Syria and Israel could become “long and prosperous.”

Trump described the current phase as a “historic opportunity” to strengthen what he called “the success already achieved in the Middle East peace process.”

Meeting in Damascus

Trump’s remarks coincided with an announcement from the Syrian presidency stating that Al-Sharaa had received U.S. Special Envoy to Syria Thomas Barak in Damascus. According to the presidency’s post on X, the meeting addressed regional developments and issues of mutual concern, in the presence of Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani.

Stalled Negotiations

These developments come despite a report by Israel’s public broadcaster two weeks ago stating that negotiations with Syria had reached a “dead end,” noting that disagreements center on withdrawal from southern Syria. The broadcaster reported that Israel is conditioning a full “peace agreement” in exchange for withdrawal, refusing to settle for a mere “security arrangement.”

Ahmed Al-Sharaa had previously emphasized that any final agreement requires an Israeli withdrawal to the lines of before 8 December 2024.

Ongoing Incursions and Violations

Despite the negotiation track, Israeli incursions in southern Syria continue — the latest being the entry of an Israeli military unit into rural Quneitra on Monday morning and evening. Since the fall of the former Syrian regime, Israel has reinforced its military presence in the south, crossing beyond the buffer zone stipulated in the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, including at a strategic observation point on Mount Hermon.

According to diplomatic and media reports, six rounds of talks between Syrian and Israeli officials — held under U.S. mediation — have failed to produce a security agreement ensuring stability along the border area, before negotiations came to a halt in September 2025.

Israel maintains “deep doubts” about the new Syrian government, insisting that southern Syria must be “weapons-free,” while Al-Sharaa affirms that Syria “poses no threat to any country in the region or the world.”