Trump wants Iran included in Lindsey Graham’s Russia sanctions bill amid escalating conflict | Today’s news
US President Donald Trump called on Republicans to expand the proposed Russia sanctions bill to include Iran, signaling that his administration wants Congress to use the same legislation to increase pressure on both Moscow and Tehran.
The proposal comes at a time of renewed conflict with Iran and follows the introduction of a revised bipartisan sanctions law named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham, one of its original architects.
Here’s what the legislation does and why Trump’s latest crackdown matters.
What did Trump say?
In a post on Truth Social on Sunday (July 19), Trump urged Republican lawmakers to expand the sanctions legislation.
“Republicans should add Iran to the Russia Sanctions Bill. That’s what Lindsey wanted to do and it should have happened. Important!!!”
What is the Russia Sanctions Act?
The legislation, formally titled the Senator Lindsey O. Graham Russia Sanctioning Act of 2026, is a revised bipartisan bill introduced by more than 60 U.S. senators.
After Lindsey Graham’s death, she was introduced by Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Richard Blumenthal and Darline Graham.
The bill aims to increase economic pressure on Russia by targeting countries and entities that continue to buy Russian energy or help Moscow evade sanctions.
According to the bill’s sponsors, Graham completed revisions with the White House shortly before his death after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
How did the account change?
The revised legislation replaces the original proposal of blanket 500% tariffs with a more targeted framework of sanctions.
-Tariffs of up to 100% on the five largest consumers of Russian oil and natural gas.
-Up to 100% tariffs on countries that help Russia avoid oil sanctions.
-Incorporation of the SHADOW Fleet Sanctions Act, targeting vessels used to evade sanctions.
-Inclusion of the Russia-China STOP Act, which aims to limit Chinese support for the Russian defense industry.
-Stricter requirements for presidential exemption through national interest certification.
-Exemption for countries importing less than 15% of Russian natural gas exports while taking steps to reduce dependence.
Why is Trump talking about 500% tariffs?
Although the revised legislation lowers the tariff cap for many provisions, a broader proposal Trump previously supported would give the president the power to impose tariffs of up to 500% on imports from countries that trade with Russia’s energy sector.
These would be secondary tariffs, meaning they would target third countries rather than Russia itself.
If enacted, the legislation would provide one of the broadest secondary sanctions powers ever granted by Congress.
Trump’s latest proposal suggests he wants to include Iran in this broader sanctions framework.
Why did Lindsey Graham focus on India and China?
Lindsey Graham argued during his campaign for the legislation that the fastest way to put pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin is to target Russia’s biggest energy customers.
He repeatedly identified India and China as the main buyers of Russian oil.
According to Graham, the two countries together buy roughly 70% of Russia’s oil, gas and oil exports, making them a central part of Moscow’s wartime income.
He argued that limiting purchases by these countries would significantly weaken Russia’s ability to finance the war in Ukraine.
What might this mean for India?
India could be among the countries that follow the legislation the most.
Indian refiners sharply cut imports of Russian crude earlier this year amid trade talks with Washington and tightening U.S. sanctions against Russian energy producers.
Another complication arose on June 17, 2026, when the US Treasury Department’s temporary waiver allowing Indian purchases of Russian oil without triggering sanctions expired.
This left India’s future purchases in a legal gray area.
New Delhi says its energy purchases are driven by national economic interests rather than geopolitical considerations.
Why does Trump want to add Iran?
Trump’s latest comments come as Washington and Tehran remain locked in an escalating confrontation.
By calling for Iran to be added to the sanctions legislation, Trump is signaling support for using the same economic tools against Tehran that Congress is preparing to deploy against Russia.
