President Donald Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 into law on Friday, September 18. The bill, known as H.R. 5334, targets Russian officials, banks and the 'shadow fleet' of oil tankers Moscow uses to dodge restrictions.

Its centerpiece is tariff authority: the president may impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on the five largest buyers of Russian oil and gas, including China and India. Countries importing less than 15 percent of Russia's gas exports and taking steps to reduce them are exempt.

Congress passed the measure 86 to 11 in the Senate and 262 to 159 in the House. The law also extends Iran sanctions through 2031. It is named for late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who championed tougher Russia sanctions before his death in July.

Trump had long resisted tougher measures as an obstacle to talks, but grew more supportive as the war dragged on. Representative Michael McCaul said the bill would 'cripple Russia's war machine' and push Vladimir Putin to negotiate.

Le Monde notes the White House is unlikely to rush into a trade fight with Beijing, but the law is the strongest US lever yet against Moscow's war funding.