Trump signs new law expanding Russia sanctions, extending Iran sanctions

According to the White House, the new law authorizes and expands economic measures against Moscow, including statutory sanctions and tariff authorities, while extending existing restrictions on Iran.

US President Donald Trump on Friday signed into law the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, named after the late senator, expanding the statutory framework for sanctions, tariffs, and other restrictions targeting Russia while extending existing sanctions on Iran. 

According to the White House, the new law authorizes and expands economic measures against Moscow, including statutory sanctions and tariff authorities.

The administration had previously said the legislation would strengthen the president’s ability to pressure Russia toward a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine and would extend the Iran Sanctions Act for five years. 

Trump's signature follows Congress vote on sanctions

Trump’s signature turns the measure approved by Congress into binding law. The White House did not specify in its brief announcement which elements of the sanctions package would be implemented immediately.

The bill passed on Wednesday, with a vote of 262 to 259 in Congress after having passed the Senate in August.

The sanctions aim to target Russia's energy and defense industries, as well as its "shadow fleet" of tankers that evade existing sanctions, in order to deprive Moscow of revenues to finance its ongoing war against Ukraine.

It would also place sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin, several senior Kremlin officials, Russian financial institutions, and state-owned companies.

It would allow Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on buyers of Russian energy, such as China or India, in order to reduce their dependence on Russian oil and gas.