U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States has lifted economic sanctions on Syria and is prepared to consider easing stringent measures against Iran "at the right time." Speaking in Washington on 7 July at the start of a dinner with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said the Syrian move was taken after appeals from regional leaders, including Netanyahu, and after he met Syria's new president, Ahmed Shara, whom he described as "impressive." Trump added that he would like to give Iran a similar opportunity to rebuild its economy, provided conditions are appropriate, and noted that Tehran has indicated interest in negotiating with Washington. While describing current Iran sanctions as "very biting," he said his aim is to see Iran pursue peaceful reconstruction rather than confrontation. The remarks signal a potential shift in U.S. Middle East policy, coming only months after Washington's 145% tariff on Chinese goods took effect. Any formal relaxation of Iran sanctions would require significant diplomatic groundwork and could face resistance in Congress, but Trump's comments mark the clearest expression to date of his willingness to recalibrate U.S. leverage in the region.