U.S. President Donald Trump Signs Russia and Iran Sanctions Bill Into Law

U.S. President Donald Trump signed a major new sanctions bill into law on Friday, September 18, 2026, according to a statement released by the White House. The legislation, designated as H.R. 5334 and formally known as the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, aims to place substantial financial pressure on Moscow and Tehran.

The White House confirmed that the newly enacted statute broadens and authorizes statutory sanctions, tariffs, and various prohibitions directed at Russia while simultaneously extending existing restrictive measures currently in place against Iran. The legislation had earlier cleared the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.

The legislative package specifically targets Russia's leadership, its vital energy sector, collaborators within Moscow’s defense industry, and the network of vessels frequently referred to as Russia’s shadow fleet. In addition to direct sanctions on Russian entities, the measure grants the U.S. President the authority to levy tariffs of up to 100% on foreign nations that continue to purchase Russian oil and natural gas.

Major global energy consumers, including nations such as India and China, fall under the scope of the legislation due to their status as significant buyers of Russian crude and petroleum products. However, the law grants Mr. Trump substantial discretion regarding its overall implementation, giving the executive branch authority to determine which nations face tariffs, the specific rates applied, and whether particular sanction provisions should be waived.

The statute is scheduled to come into full effect within 30 days of the president's signature. Under the framework of the text, the president is required to impose duties of up to 100% on imported goods originating from countries that rank among the top five purchasers of Russian crude oil or natural gas by total volume over the 12-month period preceding enactment.

Despite the strict parameters, the legislation includes specific exemption mechanisms for certain nations. A country can be exempted from the gas-related import duties if its natural gas imports from Russia accounted for less than 15% of Russia’s total exports during the applicable reference period, provided that the purchasing nation has also taken concrete and significant steps to reduce those reliance levels.

Beyond buyers of primary energy commodities, the legislation also targets a broader network of foreign actors and entities suspected of facilitating Russian energy production or actively assisting in sanctions evasion. This broader enforcement mandate covers vessel owners, vessel operators, managers, maritime insurers, and various other parties engaged in covered commercial activities linked to the targeted sectors.

The signing of the act introduces a new phase in international trade dynamics and energy geopolitics, particularly for major developing economies that maintain commercial energy ties with Moscow. With implementation timelines set to unfold over the coming weeks, attention will focus on how the executive branch utilizes its discretionary waiver powers and how targeted nations respond to the prospective tariff threats.