Donald Trump to lift sanctions on Syria, touts deals in Middle East tour

War-devastated nation seeks U.S. investment to rebuild, as Saudis commit billions in American dealmaking

- Stephen Kalin, Alexander Ward & Alex Leary

President Trump basked in this desert kingdom's glitzy welcome as he announced an end to sanctions on Syria, signed investment deals with Saudi Arabia and issued a pointed warning to Iran.

On the first of a four-day Middle East visit, Trump sealed $300 billion in deals with the Saudis, with an eye toward doubling that total within four years. Heaping praise on the kingdom's crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, he encouraged Riyadh to move toward normalizing relations with Israel, despite the continuing war in Gaza that left Palestinians no closer to self-rule, a longstanding Saudi precondition.

Trump also issued an ultimatum to Iran as he aims to prevent the country from obtaining a nuclear weapon. "One way or another, make your move," he said, adding the country would face "massive maximum pressure" if it doesn't curb its nuclear work soon. "The offer will not last forever."

Trump said he would lift U.S. sanctions against Syria, giving its new rulers a financial lifeline after a lightning campaign overthrew its decadeslong dictator late last year. The U.S. leader is expected to hold a brief meeting with new Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa Wednesday in the Saudi capital.

"Now it's their time to shine," Trump said. "We're taking them all off."

His overarching message was that the U.S. will remain engaged and close to the region as long as its money pours into the American economy.

"You achieved a modern miracle, the Arabian way," Trump said of the Gulf's oil-rich monarchies. "The Gulf nations have shown this entire region a path towards safe and orderly societies with improving quality of life, flourishing economic growth, expanding personal freedoms and increasing responsibilities on the world stage."