Syria’s newly installed ruler Ahmed al-Sharaa is pushing for a one-on-one meeting with President Donald Trump during his upcoming Middle East visit—dangling a dizzying package of incentives that includes oil deals, normalization with Israel, and even a Trump Tower in Damascus.

According to multiple sources familiar with the effort, Sharaa is attempting to bypass traditional diplomatic channels by appealing directly to Trump’s knee-jerk instinct for big deals. The initiative is being spearheaded by Jonathan Bass, a pro-Trump American activist who met with Sharaa for four hours in Damascus on April 30. Also involved are Syrian activists and regional power brokers from the Gulf who are lobbying to get Sharaa face time with Trump during his visit this week to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.

The meeting—if it happens—would be one of the most explosive moments of Trump’s second term to date. Sharaa remains a U.S.-designated terrorist with ties to al-Qaeda. Yet his team believes that Trump, known for ripping up diplomatic rulebooks, may be open to a deal that reboots Syria’s global standing while delivering regional peace and business opportunities.

“Sharaa wants a business deal for the future of his country,” Bass told reporters. “He wants peace with his neighbors. He wants energy cooperation. He told me he wants a Trump Tower in Damascus. What he told me is good for the region, good for Israel.”

The proposition comes as Syria remains under crippling U.S. sanctions that have effectively locked it out of the global financial system after 14 years of civil war. A meeting with Trump—even unofficial—could mark the first break in years of Western isolation.

While the prospect of such a high-profile summit is widely considered unlikely, especially given Trump’s packed schedule and the unresolved divisions within his advisory circle on Syria policy, sources confirm a flurry of backchannel activity.

A senior U.S. official confirmed that high-level talks between U.S. and Syrian representatives are scheduled to take place in the region this week—but ruled out a Trump-Sharaa summit.

Still, Sharaa’s charm offensive appears calculated. He recently reached out to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, raising speculation that the Saudis may be mediating. His aides say a Trump meeting remains a possibility “until the last moment.”

Behind the scenes, Sharaa is also working to lower tensions with Israel. He has confirmed indirect negotiations via the UAE and conveyed through Bass what he says are peace overtures. “Sharaa sent the Israelis an olive branch. Israel sent missiles,” Bass said, referencing a retaliatory strike near the presidential palace after reports of secret talks.

Meanwhile, Washington remains wary. Last month, U.S. officials met with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani in New York. A senior State Department counterterrorism official attended the meeting, highlighting the administration’s continued view of Syria through a national security lens. According to sources, the U.S. made clear that Damascus’s efforts remain insufficient, especially regarding the removal of foreign fighters from top military roles.

The Treasury Department has reportedly added more than a dozen conditions for even partial sanctions relief. Yet Trump’s known fondness for dramatic, optics-heavy diplomacy has given Damascus a sliver of hope.

“This is a long shot—but not impossible,” one Gulf-based diplomat noted. “Sharaa is betting on Trump being Trump.”

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)