US state sponsors of terrorism list falls to three after Syria is removed

Key points

• Syria was removed from the US list in August
• Cuba, Iran and North Korea remain designated
• The designation brings major US restrictions

The United States now designates three countries, Cuba, Iran and North Korea, as state sponsors of terrorism, after formally removing Syria from the list in August 2026.

The designation is made by the US Secretary of State under American law for governments determined by Washington to have repeatedly supported acts of international terrorism. It can trigger restrictions on US foreign assistance, defence exports and sales, dual-use technology and some financial transactions.

The list has changed considerably since the programme began. Eight countries have been designated at some point: Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, South Yemen, Sudan and Syria.

Syria removed after nearly 47 years

Syria had been on the list since December 29, 1979, making it the longest continuously designated country. That changed on August 24, 2026, when Secretary of State Marco Rubio formally rescinded the designation after a mandatory 45-day congressional notification period.

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The Trump administration said the decision followed changes and counterterrorism commitments made by the government of President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Reuters reported that the move also removed a significant obstacle for banks and companies considering investment in Syria as the country seeks to rebuild after years of war.

Syria's removal leaves Iran as the longest continuously designated country currently on the list. Washington added Iran on January 19, 1984 and has kept the designation in place since then. Cuba and North Korea returned to the list

Cuba and North Korea have each been removed and later redesignated.

Cuba was first listed in 1982 before its designation was rescinded in 2015. The United States placed it back on the list on January 12, 2021, saying the Cuban government had repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism, including by granting haven to individuals Washington considered terrorists.

North Korea was initially designated in 1988, primarily over its involvement in the 1987 bombing of Korean Air Flight 858. Washington removed it in 2008 but redesignated it on November 20, 2017, citing, among other issues, assassinations on foreign soil.

Other former members have remained off the list for years. Iraq was removed in 2004, Libya in 2006 and Sudan in 2020, while South Yemen ceased to exist as a separate state after unification with North Yemen in 1990. Sudan's designation, for example, was formally rescinded on December 14, 2020.

The history shows that the label is not necessarily permanent. US law provides a process for rescinding a designation when the required conditions are met.

Accuracy note: The infographic is broadly accurate and importantly reflects Syria's 2026 removal. However, its “1979–2026” label simplifies the timing: Syria was formally removed on August 24, 2026. As of September 2026, the current US list consists of Cuba, Iran and North Korea.

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Artificial Analysis is an AI benchmarking platform, not a source for US terrorism designations. For accuracy, the designation dates and current status were checked against US State and Treasury Department records and current reporting.