Syria US invitation Syria’s Al-Sharaa Receives US Invitation as Washington Expands Engagement

Damascus- Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa has received an invitation to visit the United States on June 14, a diplomatic source said on Thursday, in a sign of expanding engagement between Washington and Damascus following the restoration of relations after the fall of former President Bashar Assad.

The source, who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, said Al-Sharaa had been invited to travel to the United States later this month but did not confirm whether the Syrian leader would accept the invitation.

The proposed visit would come months after Al-Sharaa met U.S. President Donald Trump in November, marking the first visit by a Syrian head of state to the United States since Syria gained independence in 1946.

The invitation coincides with Trump’s 80th birthday celebrations on June 14. Trump is scheduled to host an event at the White House on that day.

Relations between the United States and Syria have improved significantly since Al-Sharaa assumed power after the overthrow of Assad in 2024. Washington subsequently lifted sanctions on Syria, while Damascus joined the international coalition against Daesh.

The invitation also follows recent comments by Trump suggesting Syria could play a role in addressing security concerns linked to Hezbollah in neighboring Lebanon.

In remarks to NBC last week, Trump said Al-Sharaa was willing to assist efforts against the Iran-backed group. He described the Syrian leader as having made significant progress in a short period and indicated that Damascus could help address regional security challenges.

According to a diplomat familiar with the matter, Washington has encouraged Syria since the outbreak of the Israel-Hezbollah conflict in March to take a more active position regarding Hezbollah’s activities in Lebanon.

Any potential Syrian involvement would be politically sensitive. Syria maintained close ties with Hezbollah under the Assad government and exerted significant influence in Lebanon for decades following its intervention in the country’s 1975-1990 civil war. Syrian forces withdrew from Lebanon in 2005.

Hezbollah also fought alongside Assad’s government during Syria’s civil war, a factor that has contributed to strained relations between the group and Syria’s current leadership.

Neither Syrian authorities nor U.S. officials immediately commented publicly on whether Al-Sharaa would travel to Washington following the invitation.