**The U.S. Embassy in Damascus has remained closed since February 2012 amid the Syrian civil war.** Following the December 2024 ouster of Bashar al-Assad, the Trump administration has pursued gradual normalization with Syria’s transitional government under President Ahmad al-Sharaa. Milestones include the May 2025 raising of the U.S. flag at the ambassador’s residence by Special Envoy Tom Barrack, sanctions relief, Syria’s removal from the state sponsor of terrorism list in August 2026, and its addition to the U.S.-led anti-ISIS coalition. In February 2026, the State Department notified Congress of a phased approach to potentially resume operations, with spending authorized but no fixed timeline or permanent staff return announced. The recent reactivation of Syria’s embassy in Washington in September 2026 reflects reciprocal progress, though full U.S. reopening depends on security assessments, congressional reviews, and further diplomatic steps.