Shara proposes Trump Tower in Damascus for US meeting

Ahmed Shara, Syria’s interim President, reportedly presented a proposal during his recent Gulf tour aiming to secure a face-to-face meeting with US President Donald Trump. This offer allegedly includes the construction of a Trump Tower in Damascus, the normalization of relations with Israel, and granting the US access to Syria’s oil and natural gas resources.

Still designated a terrorist by the US, Shara is actively seeking an agreement to normalize relations with Washington, secure the lifting of sanctions, and achieve international recognition. His proposal is framed as a strategic offer that addresses both US economic interests and regional stability.

According to a Reuters report, Jonathan Bass, an American businessman and staunch Trump supporter, is working with several Gulf countries and Syrian figures to facilitate a meeting between Ahmed Shara and Trump. This potential encounter, though considered a low probability, would occur during Trump’s planned visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

Syria has prioritized the lifting of US sanctions to initiate its recovery process following more than 14 years of continuous conflict. However, implementing the conditions set by Washington continues to pose substantial challenges within the country.

Jonathan Bass contends that Shara’s presence in the same room as Trump, despite Shara’s past affiliation with Al-Qaeda and his continued presence on the US terror list, could potentially soften the White House’s outlook on Damascus and alleviate tensions along the Syria-Israel front.

Bass remarked, “Shara wants a business deal for his country’s future,” further explaining that this proposal encompasses energy cooperation, joint action against Iran, and direct engagement with Israel. Bass recounted, “He told me he wants a Trump Tower in Damascus. He wants peace with his neighbors. What he said was good for both the region and Israel.” Bass also conveyed that Shara personally identified with Trump, noting, “Both have survived assassination attempts in the past.”

Syrian government officials and the presidential office have not commented on the matter. However, the Syrian Presidency announced that Shara held a meeting with Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman last Sunday.

A source close to Shara indicated that a meeting with Trump remains a possibility, although it is currently unclear whether an official invitation has been extended. The source added, “Whether the meeting takes place will only be known at the last minute.”

A direct meeting between Ahmed Shara and Trump during Trump’s Middle East tour is considered improbable due to the demanding schedule, Trump’s evolving priorities, and a notable lack of consensus within his own team concerning Syria policy.

However, sources indicate that while a high-level US-Syrian meeting is planned during Trump’s visit, it is not expected to be a direct encounter between Trump and Shara.

Charles Lister, Director of the Syria Initiative at the Middle East Institute, commented, “Direct contact with Trump is viewed as the most effective approach, primarily because numerous ideological obstacles exist within the administration.”

Washington has yet to develop a comprehensive and consistent policy regarding Syria. Nevertheless, according to three distinct sources, including a US official, the US administration has recently been framing its relations with Syria predominantly through the lens of counter-terrorism.

This approach was also evident in the meeting between the US and Syrian Foreign Minister Esad Hasan Al-Shaybani in New York last month. The inclusion of a high-ranking counter-terrorism official from the State Department in the US delegation was interpreted as a clear signal of this focus.

Sources indicate that US officials conveyed to Al-Shaybani their assessment that the steps taken, particularly concerning the removal of foreign fighters serving in the Syrian army from high-ranking positions and their maximal expulsion, were deemed insufficient.

Furthermore, the US Treasury Department also communicated its own demands to the Damascus administration, consequently elevating the total number of Washington’s conditions to over 12.

James Hewitt, Spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, stated that the actions undertaken by Syria’s interim administration will largely determine whether the US will extend support or ease sanctions.

One of the primary objectives of Syria’s overtures to Washington is to convey that the country poses no threat to Israel. Notably, since the change of government in Damascus at the end of 2024, Israel has intensified its air strikes on Syria.

Israeli ground forces have occupied certain areas in the country’s southwest. While Tel Aviv asserts these actions are intended to protect minority communities in Syria, the Damascus administration perceives the attacks as a significant escalation of tension.

Last week, Shara confirmed that indirect talks with Israel were conducted via the United Arab Emirates. Reuters had previously reported that these contacts aimed to de-escalate regional tensions.

Jonathan Bass also stated that Shara had conveyed certain messages through him that could potentially pave the way for direct contact with Israel.

However, despite these overtures, Israel initiated new air strikes targeting areas near the presidential palace in Damascus. Tel Aviv asserted these attacks were carried out to protect the Druze minority in Syria.

Bass remarked, “Shara extended an olive branch to Israel, and Israel responded with a missile,” and he added, “Trump is needed to mend this relationship.”