REPORT: Syrian President Signals Interest in Normalization With Israel

New Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has expressed openness to normalizing ties with Israel “under the right conditions,” U.S. Congressman Cory Mills told Bloomberg after a recent meeting in Damascus.

Mills said he and Sharaa discussed lifting U.S. sanctions and Syria possibly joining the Abraham Accords, agreements originally brokered by the Trump administration.

Sharaa reportedly signaled willingness to clarify Syria’s position on foreign fighters and to provide Israel with security assurances, though Israel remains cautious and opposes sanctions relief.

Syria’s Islamist-led government is demanding full sanctions removal to help rebuild its war-damaged economy.

Mills, a member of the House Foreign Affairs and Armed Services Committees, visited Damascus with Representative Marlin Stutzman — the first trip by U.S. lawmakers since Bashar al-Assad’s ouster in December.

During a 90-minute meeting, Mills and Sharaa discussed sanctions and Iran. Sharaa remains sanctioned by both the U.S. and U.N. over past links to al-Qaeda.

Mills said he would deliver a letter from Sharaa to Trump and brief the president and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz.

“I am cautiously optimistic and look to maintain open dialog,” Mills said.