Trump signs Lindsey Graham Russia-Iran sanctions bill into law

US President Donald Trump signed a bill into law on Friday, imposing new sanctions on Russia and extending punitive economic measures against Iran for the next five years. Named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham, a vocal critic of Russia and Iran, the bill was passed by the House of Representatives this week and the Senate early last month.

The legislation allows Trump and future presidents to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on major importers of Russian energy, such as India, Japan, and some EU countries. It also targets Russia's shadow fleet of oil tankers and aims to push Russia to end its war in Ukraine, which has been ongoing for four years. Trump initially resisted imposing sanctions on Moscow, fearing it would hinder negotiations, but became more supportive as the conflict persisted.

Graham's sister, Darline, who succeeded her late brother in the Senate and is running to fill his vacant seat, expressed gratitude to Trump for making the bill "the law of the land." She stated that she believes the sanctions and other measures contained in the legislation will bolster the President's negotiating leverage to achieve a lasting peace in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the Iran provision renews the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996, which was set to expire this year. The sanctions aim to pressure Iran's weapons and energy industries, reducing state revenue. The US is actively engaged in Operation Economic Outcast, a campaign focused on cutting off Iranian sources of funding worldwide. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that Treasury will continue to target and disrupt entities that provide material, technological, or financial support to the Iranian regime in sustaining its terrorist activities.