by Emmitt Barry, with reporting from Worthy News Jerusalem Bureau Staff
WASHINGTON (Worthy News) – Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has declined to immediately pursue membership in the Abraham Accords, citing Israel’s control of the Golan Heights as a primary obstacle, though he suggested the Trump administration could eventually facilitate such negotiations.
Speaking to Fox News on Monday following a landmark White House meeting with President Donald Trump—the first ever visit by a Syrian leader—Sharaa made clear that current conditions were not conducive to normalization talks with Israel.
“Syria has borders with Israel, and Israel has occupied the Golan Heights since 1967. We are not going to enter into a negotiation directly right now,” Sharaa told Fox’s Gillian Turner through a translator. However, he added: “Maybe the United States administration, with President Trump, will help us reach this kind of negotiation.”
Historic White House Meeting Signals Strategic Shift
The meeting between Trump and Sharaa represents a dramatic turnaround for the former rebel commander who toppled longtime dictator Bashar al-Assad last year. Sharaa, 43, who once led Islamist fighters and was previously designated a global terrorist, arrived at the White House through a side entrance, avoiding the typical fanfare afforded to visiting foreign leaders.
“Syria is no longer looked at as a security threat, it is now looked at as a geopolitical ally,” Sharaa declared in his Fox News interview, emphasizing potential for U.S. investment in Syrian gas extraction.
Trump expressed confidence in the Syrian leader’s ability to rebuild the war-torn nation. “We want to see Syria become a country that’s very successful, and I think this leader can do it,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, acknowledging Sharaa’s “rough past” but suggesting it was necessary for his current position.
Security Pact and U.S. Military Presence on the Horizon
Behind the diplomatic discussions lies an ambitious U.S.-brokered security framework. According to Reuters, Washington is preparing to establish a military presence at a Damascus airbase to support a potential non-aggression pact between Syria and Israel.
Syrian officials told Agence France-Presse in September that they expect security and military agreements with Israel to be reached by the end of 2025. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed in late September that negotiations are underway.
The proposed Damascus base would sit near areas designated for a demilitarized zone in southern Syria. Meanwhile, Israeli troops have taken up temporary positions in southwestern Syria following Assad’s fall, citing security concerns.
Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and Middle East envoy, reportedly met with Netanyahu on Monday to discuss Israeli concerns about the security agreement, according to Saudi broadcaster al-Hadath. Netanyahu allegedly asked Kushner to pressure Syria to advance the deal, which could serve as a stepping stone toward Abraham Accords membership.
Competing Narratives on Regional Stability
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani offered a more critical perspective in an October interview, warning that Israel is “pursuing expansionist projects, exploiting recent changes in Syria and destabilizing the region.”
His comments came amid clashes in southern Syria between Bedouin and Druze populations, with Israel conducting military strikes in support of the Druze community — an intervention that has drawn sharp criticism from Damascus.
Sanctions Relief: The Economic Lifeline
A central focus of Sharaa’s Washington visit was securing permanent relief from U.S. sanctions. On Monday, the Treasury Department announced a 180-day partial suspension of sanctions, excluding transactions involving Russia and Iran.
However, the most severe restrictions—the 2019 Caesar Sanctions Act, passed in response to human rights abuses under Assad—require Congressional repeal. The White House and State Department support lifting these sanctions before year’s end, though ongoing government funding issues may affect the timeline.
The World Bank estimates Syria’s reconstruction will cost over $200 billion. Sharaa is advocating for unconditional sanctions removal, as investment experts warn that conditional relief would deter companies fearing future penalties.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen has proposed ending sanctions without conditions, while Senator Lindsey Graham’s alternative would impose reviewable conditions every six months.
Security Challenges Persist
Just hours before the White House meeting, reports emerged of two foiled Islamic State assassination plots against Sharaa in recent months. Over the weekend, Syrian security forces arrested more than 70 suspected ISIS operatives in a nationwide sweep.
The security situation remains precarious. More than 2,500 people have died in sectarian violence since Assad’s fall, raising questions about the new government’s ability to govern Syria’s diverse population effectively.
Regional Realignment Continues
Syria’s dramatic pivot from Iran and Russia toward the United States, Turkey, and Gulf states represents one of the most significant geopolitical shifts in the Middle East in recent years.
Trump noted that Sharaa “gets along very well” with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, calling the Turkish leader “great.” The U.S. president added: “We’re working also with Israel on getting along with Syria, getting along with everybody, and that’s working amazingly.”
Following the meeting, Trump told reporters to expect “some announcements on Syria” without providing specifics.
Copyright 1999-2025 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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