RismadarVoice Reporters, August 8, 2026
The United States Senate has overwhelmingly approved legislation imposing additional sanctions on Russia and Iran, following months of negotiations over the measure.
The 61-page bill, renamed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 in honour of the late Republican senator from South Carolina, passed by 86 votes to 11.
The legislation seeks to restrict Russia’s ability to finance its war in Ukraine by targeting major international buyers of Russian oil and gas.
It also provides for additional sanctions against Russian officials, their relatives and oligarchs, while authorising targeted tariffs on goods imported from countries that purchase significant quantities of Russian energy.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the measure would help weaken the financial resources sustaining Russia’s military campaign against Ukraine.
He argued that Russia’s continued access to revenue from oil and gas exports had enabled President Vladimir Putin to sustain the conflict.
The bill also includes provisions aimed at restricting Iran’s ability to finance its weapons and energy sectors following a last-minute request from President Donald Trump.
However, the legislation has faced opposition from some Democratic senators and Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, who raised concerns that the bill could give the president excessive authority to impose tariffs.
The measure now moves to the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, where its prospects remain uncertain.
The agreement that paved the way for Senate passage was announced on Tuesday by Senator Darline Graham, the late senator’s sister and appointed successor, alongside Senators Richard Blumenthal, Katie Britt, Jeanne Shaheen, Roger Wicker and Jim Risch.
The lawmakers reached the agreement on July 28, less than two weeks after Graham’s death, describing the legislation as a fitting way to continue his efforts to impose economic pressure on Russia and Iran.
In a joint statement, the senators said the bill was designed to prevent countries purchasing Russian oil and gas from financing what they described as Putin’s war machine, while maintaining pressure on Iran over its alleged support for terrorism and nuclear activities.
The Senate had already voted 86-12 on a procedural motion to advance the legislation last month, making final passage largely expected after the bipartisan agreement was reached.
