Trump Signs the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act

Washington – In a move that many analysts are calling a bold escalation, President Donald Trump put his signature on H.R. 5334, the “Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026,” on Friday, September 18, 2026.

The legislation, which cleared the House of Representatives just days earlier, gives the president sweeping authority to tighten the noose around Moscow’s leadership, its energy exports and the network of companies that help it dodge existing penalties.

Among the most eye‑catching provisions is the power to slap tariffs of up to a full 100 % on any nation that ranks among the top five buyers of Russian crude oil or natural gas. That list, as the bill outlines, currently includes heavy‑weight purchasers such as China and India.

Trump now decides which countries face those duties, how steep the rates will be, and whether any waivers are granted. The law kicks in 30 days after his signature, and it requires the administration to act against the five biggest importers of Russian fuel based on the prior twelve‑month period.

But there is a built‑in carve‑out. A country can avoid the gas‑related duties if its imports of Russian gas made up less than 15 % of Russia’s total gas exports during that same window and if it can demonstrate “significant steps” to cut those imports.

Beyond the tariffs, the act expands existing sanctions on Iran and adds new restrictions aimed at Russia’s so‑called “shadow fleet” – a murky collection of vessels that help move oil and circumvent embargoes. Vessel owners, operators, insurers and other service providers who assist in these activities could find themselves on a newly‑minted blacklist.

In the White House’s own words, the bill “authorizes and expands statutory sanctions, tariffs, and prohibitions on Russia and extends existing sanctions on Iran.” The administration says the flexibility built into the law is meant to adapt quickly to evolving geopolitical realities.

Critics, however, warn that a 100 % tariff could shock global markets, raise energy prices for consumers and strain diplomatic ties with key trade partners. They also point out that such sweeping measures might push Russia deeper into the arms of non‑Western allies.

Only time will tell how President Trump will wield these new tools, but the passage of the act marks a decisive step in the United States’ strategy to pressure Moscow and Tehran over a range of issues, from Ukraine to nuclear proliferation.