Syria Proposes Signing Mineral Agreement with the United States

According to the Times, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa proposed a mineral agreement to the US similar to the one reached between the US and Ukraine, in exchange for the lifting of a decade-long sanctions regime.

The UK newspaper reported that US President Trump, who was visiting the Middle East this week, was "considering" the proposal. In addition to allowing the US to access its natural resources, Syria also proposed building a Trump Tower in Damascus.

The proposal to Washington was one of President al-Sharaa's initiatives to end international sanctions on Syria, which have cut the country off from the global financial system. The 14-year war has devastated the country's economy.

Al-Sharaa, who took office in January and is still listed as a terrorist by the US government, has publicly expressed interest in strengthening relations with the West.

So far, the Syrian leader has indicated a willingness to join the Abraham Accords and allow a security presence for Israel in parts of southern Syria, a move that could bring the Syrian government closer to US allies in the region.

"A New Beginning"

According to the Times, Syria's proposal has sparked debate among Trump's advisors. Tulsi Gabbard and Sebastian Gorka have urged caution, while others, including Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, have expressed support for engagement.

Trump himself has publicly stated that Syria should enter a "new beginning" in the post-Assad era and that he would consider easing sanctions if key conditions are met, including cooperation on counterterrorism.

Al-Sharaa's proposal to Trump appears to be a comprehensive pivot toward Western investment. The Wall Street Journal reported that Syrian officials are discussing infrastructure cooperation with companies such as AT&T and Boeing.

Facilitating a Meeting

Reuters, citing sources, said that while the likelihood of a direct face-to-face meeting between Trump and al-Sharaa during Trump's Middle East trip was relatively small, high-level talks between Syria and the US would take place in the region.

According to Reuters, pro-Trump activist Jonathan Bass recently met with al-Sharaa in Damascus, along with Syrian activists and Gulf Arab states, as he has been trying to arrange a direct meeting between the two leaders.

"Al-Sharaa wants to sign a business deal for the country's future," Bass said.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Syria is rich in mineral resources, including crude oil, asphalt, iron ore, manganese, phosphorus (phosphate), marble, rock salt, and gypsum.

"There is no doubt that we are driving this process," said Charles Lister, head of the Syria Initiative at the Middle East Institute.

"Our thinking is that it would be best to engage directly with Trump."

The White House has not yet confirmed whether it will continue to meet with Shaaraa.