Trump signs Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act

President Donald Trump has signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 into law. Named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham, the bipartisan legislation aims to penalize Russia for its ongoing war in Ukraine and extend sanctions against Iran’s energy and weapons sectors for five years.

The act imposes primary and secondary sanctions on Russian officials, oligarchs, banks, and financial institutions. Notably, it grants the president authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on major purchasers of Russian oil and gas, a measure that could impact significant importers such as China and India.

Reactions to the law have been polarized. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude, stating that the legislation demonstrates America’s strength against dictators. Conversely, the Kremlin described the move as an ‘unfriendly action’ that could complicate peace efforts in Ukraine, while Dmitry Medvedev called for ‘direct military deterrence’ in response to the legislation.