Trump signs Lindsey O. Graham Act to sanction Russia and Iran

US sanctions Russia energy sector Lindsey Graham Act tariffs geopolitical tension

President Donald Trump has signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 into law, introducing a sweeping new package of sanctions aimed at curbing Russia’s ability to fund its war in Ukraine. The legislation targets Russia’s energy and defense sectors, as well as high-ranking officials, including President Vladimir Putin, and financial institutions.

A key provision of the act grants the president authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on the five largest importers of Russian oil and gas, specifically naming countries like China and India as potentially exposed. Additionally, direct imports of Russian-origin goods into the United States could face tariffs as high as 500 percent. The law also targets the Russian shadow tanker fleet used to evade existing Western restrictions.

In response, former Russian President Dmitri Medvedev suggested that Russia should respond with 'direct military deterrence,' calling the legislation an 'atrocity.' The Kremlin has characterized the law as an 'unfriendly step' that could complicate peace negotiations. The act also extends existing US sanctions against Iran until 2031.

Entities

Auchan · Dmitri Medvedev · Dmitry Medvedev · Donald Trump · Lindsey Graham · Lindsey O. Graham · Nestlé · Richard Blumenthal · Russia · United States · Vladimir Putin

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha welcomed the law, stating the aggressor will pay a heavy price. news.yam.md
[● 3 SOURCES] India indicated it will continue to purchase oil from diverse sources. alfajertv.com · adevarul.ro · nra.lv
[○ 1 SOURCE] Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the law as a powerful tool to stop the war and force Russia toward peace. alfajertv.com
[● 12 SOURCES] President Donald Trump signed a law authorizing new sanctions against Russia. www.alborsaanews.com · alfajertv.com · adevarul.ro · news.yam.md · nuevolaredo.tv · +7 more
[● 5 SOURCES] The sanctions target Russia's energy and defense sectors, as well as high-ranking officials including Vladimir Putin. alfajertv.com · adevarul.ro · nra.lv · totalnewsagency.com · metropolitanmagazine.it
[● 10 SOURCES] The legislation allows the U.S. president to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries purchasing Russian oil and gas. alfajertv.com · adevarul.ro · www.alborsaanews.com · nuevolaredo.tv · nra.lv · +5 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] China's Ministry of Commerce stated it reserves the right to take necessary measures to protect its interests and sovereignty. adevarul.ro
[● 5 SOURCES] The legislation includes measures against Russia's shadow fleet of tankers used to bypass Western sanctions. alfajertv.com · adevarul.ro · nra.lv · www.radiobicentenario.com.ar · totalnewsagency.com
[● 9 SOURCES] The new law allows the US President to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on major buyers of Russian oil and gas. infoenn.com · trn.mk · lat.sputnikportal.rs · sputnikportal.rs · a1on.mk · +3 more
[● 9 SOURCES] The law includes measures against the so-called Russian shadow fleet used to transport oil. infoenn.com · trn.mk · a1on.mk · www.pravda.sk · mendozatoday.com.ar · +3 more
[● 4 SOURCES] The House of Representatives passed the package with 262 votes in favor and 159 against. a1on.mk · www.24sata.hr · www.kurir.rs · ohridsky.com
[● 5 SOURCES] The Senate passed the sanctions package with 86 votes in favor and 11 against. trn.mk · a1on.mk · www.24sata.hr · www.kurir.rs · ohridsky.com