International Traffic in Arms Regulations: Syria Country Policy Revision

Issuing agencies

Abstract

The Department of State is amending the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to remove Syria from the list of countries subject to a policy of denial for licenses and other approvals.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 189 (Thursday, October 1, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 189 (Thursday, October 1, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 62313-62314]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-20082]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

22 CFR Part 126

[Public Notice: 13131]
RIN 1400-AG38


International Traffic in Arms Regulations: Syria Country Policy 
Revision

AGENCY: Department of State.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Department of State is amending the International Traffic 
in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to remove Syria from the list of countries 
subject to a policy of denial for licenses and other approvals.

DATES: This rule is effective on October 1, 2026.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Ryan Haddad, Foreign Affairs 
Officer, Office of Defense Trade Controls Policy, U.S. Department of 
State, telephone: (771) 204-7878; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#97d3d3c3d4d4e2e4e3f8faf2e5c4f2e5e1fef4f2d7e4e3f6e3f2b9f0f8e1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fbbfbfafb8b88e888f94969e89a89e898d92989ebb888f9a8f9ed59c948d">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>. 
ATTN: Regulatory Change, ITAR Section 126.1 Syria.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 19, 2026, the Secretary of State 
approved a new defense trade policy for Syria that would permit the 
review of defense article and defense service transfers to Syria on a 
case-by-case licensing basis. The Secretary directed the Department to 
codify this change by publishing an amendment to the ITAR removing 
Syria from the list of countries for which it is the policy of the 
United States to deny licenses and other approvals for exports and 
imports of defense articles and defense services destined for or 
originating in those countries. This rule implements this decision by 
removing the reference to Syria in ITAR Sec.  126.1, ``Prohibited 
exports, imports and sales to or from certain countries.''
    With the statutory prerequisites for amending Syria's status under 
Sec.  126.1 now satisfied--including the rescission of the terrorism-
support determination underlying section 40 and 40A of the AECA and the 
waiver or removal of the separate restrictions imposed under the Syria 
Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act, the Chemical 
and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act, and the 
Child Soldiers Prevention Act--the Department is amending Sec.  126.1 
to remove Syria from the countries subject to a comprehensive policy of 
denial under paragraph (d)(1). Requests for licenses or other approvals 
will be adjudicated by the Department on a case-by-case basis.

Regulatory Analysis and Notices

Administrative Procedure Act

    This rulemaking is exempt from the rulemaking requirements of the 
Administrative Procedure Act (APA) pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(a)(1) as a 
military or foreign affairs function of the United States. As the 
provisions of section 553 do not apply to this rulemaking, the 
Department is publishing this rule without a request for public 
comment.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    Since this rule is exempt from the notice-and-comment provisions of 
5 U.S.C. 553, the rule does not require analysis under the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    This rulemaking does not involve a mandate that will result in the 
expenditure by State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate 
or by the private sector, of $100 million or more in any year, and it 
will not significantly or uniquely affect small governments. Therefore, 
no actions are deemed necessary under the provisions of the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act of 1995.

Congressional Review Act

    The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has found that 
this rule is not a major rule under the criteria of 5 U.S.C. 804(2).

Executive Orders 12372 and 13132

    This rulemaking does not have sufficient federalism implications to 
require consultations or warrant the preparation of a federalism 
summary impact statement. The regulations implementing Executive Order 
12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on Federal programs and 
activities do not apply to this rulemaking.

Executive Orders 12866 and 13563

    Executive Order 12866, as amended by Executive Order 13563, directs 
agencies to assess all costs and benefits of available regulatory 
alternatives and, if regulation is necessary, to select regulatory 
approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential economic, 
environmental, public health, and safety effects). As a result of this 
change, certain restrictions on defense trade activities with Syria 
will be removed. Because the scope of this rule removes regulatory 
requirements and obligations, the Department believes costs associated 
with this rule will be minimal. This rule has been designated a 
``significant regulatory action'' by the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs under Executive Order 12866.

Executive Order 14192

    This rule is exempt from the requirements of Executive Order 14192 
because it relates to a foreign affairs or national security function 
of the United States.

[[Page 62314]]

Executive Order 12988

    The Department of State has reviewed this rulemaking in light of 
Executive Order 12988 to eliminate ambiguity, minimize litigation, 
establish clear legal standards, and reduce burden.

Executive Order 13175

    The Department of State determined that this rulemaking will not 
have tribal implications, will not impose substantial direct compliance 
costs on Indian tribal governments, and will not preempt tribal law. 
Accordingly, Executive Order 13175 does not apply to this rulemaking.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This rulemaking does not impose or revise any information 
collections subject to 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

List of Subjects in 22 CFR Part 126

    Arms and munitions, Exports, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Technical assistance.
    Accordingly, for the reasons set forth above and under the 
authority of 22 U.S.C. 2778, the Department of State amends title 22, 
chapter I, subchapter M, part 126 as follows:

PART 126--GENERAL POLICIES AND PROVISIONS

0
1. The authority citation for part 126 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  22 U.S.C. 287c, 2651a, 2752, 2753, 2776, 2778, 2779, 
2779a, 2780, 2791, 2797, 10423; sec. 1225, Pub. L. 108-375, 118 
Stat. 2091; sec. 7045, Pub. L. 112-74, 125 Stat. 1232; sec. 1250A, 
Pub. L 116-92, 133 Stat. 1665; sec. 205, Pub. L. 116-94, 133 Stat. 
3052; and E.O. 13637, 78 FR 16129, 3 CFR, 2013 Comp., p. 223.


0
2. Amend Sec.  126.1(d)(1) by revising table 1 to paragraph (d)(1) to 
read as follows:


Sec.  126.1   Prohibited exports, imports, and sales to or from certain 
countries.

* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (1) * * *

                       Table 1 to Paragraph (d)(1)
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                                 Country
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Belarus
Burma
China
Cuba
Iran
North Korea
Venezuela
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* * * * *

Thomas G. DiNanno,
Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security, Department 
of State.
[FR Doc. 2026-20082 Filed 9-30-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-25-P


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