Trump later heaped praise on the president, calling him a ‘tough guy,’ and urged Ahmed al-Sharaa to normalize relations with Israel.

The sanctions were really crippling,” President Trump said, before he traveled to Qatar, where he was given a lavish welcome.

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, the former militant commander who led the overthrow, says he is working to build an inclusive government friendly to the West. Some Trump administration officials are pushing to lift or waive sanctions as fast as possible without demanding tough conditions first.