As of early 2026, the United States does not have an active, functioning embassy in Damascus for normal consular services, though significant diplomatic shifts are currently underway. The U.S. Embassy in Syria officially suspended operations in February 2012 due to the civil war. For over 14 years, the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Damascus has served as the "Protecting Power" for U.S. interests, handling emergency services for American citizens. However, following the major political transition in Syria in late 2024 and early 2025, the U.S. government has begun a "phased approach" to potentially resume operations. In February 2026, the State Department notified Congress of its intent to spend funds on preparing the Damascus compound for a physical reopening. While U.S. diplomats are currently operating via a "Syria Regional Platform" from neighboring countries, there has been a visible return of U.S. officials to Damascus for high-level meetings, signaling that a full restoration of the embassy is a top priority for the current administration's Middle East policy.