Washington – President Donald Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 on September 18, 2026, dramatically expanding the United States’ punitive toolkit against Moscow and Tehran. The bill, catalogued as H.R. 5334, tightens existing sanctions on Russia’s energy sector and adds fresh measures targeting Iran, while granting the president authority to levy steep tariffs on nations that keep buying Russian oil or gas.
Up to 100% Tariff Authority
The centerpiece of the law empowers the commander‑in‑chief to impose import duties of up to 100 percent on goods from any country that ranks among the top five purchasers of Russian crude or natural gas during the 12‑month window preceding the act’s enforcement. Although the statute does not automatically trigger a full‑scale tariff on any specific state, it gives the White House broad discretion to decide the rate and timing of such measures.
Potential Targets: India, China and Beyond
India and China, long‑standing buyers of Russian energy, fall squarely within the scope of the new rule. The ultimate decision to slap a 100 % duty on their imports rests with the president, who may calibrate the penalty according to diplomatic considerations and compliance efforts.
Gas‑Specific Exemption Pathway
For natural gas, the act carves out a conditional exemption. A country can avoid gas‑related tariffs if Russian gas shipments to it represented less than 15 % of Russia’s total gas exports in the reference period and if the nation has demonstrably reduced its reliance on Russian supplies.
Cracking Down on Russia’s ‘Shadow Fleet’
The legislation widens the net around Russia’s so‑called “shadow fleet” – a web of vessels and auxiliary actors accused of ferrying Russian energy products while evading international sanctions. Individuals and entities linked to the fleet, as well as those connected to Russia’s defence industry or sanctions‑evasion schemes, may now face designation, asset freezes, and secondary sanctions.
Implementation Timeline
The law becomes operative within 30 days of Trump’s signature, meaning its tariff and sanction provisions could start shaping trade flows by late October 2026. Countries that continue sizable purchases of Russian oil or gas should anticipate heightened diplomatic pressure and the possibility of punitive duties.
Overall, the act adds a powerful economic lever to the United States’ strategy of isolating Russia and Iran, while simultaneously signaling to global markets that continued reliance on Russian energy will carry steep costs.
