Trump Wields Graham Act to Pressure Russia and Iran

President Trump has signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, a powerful economic tool aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine War and curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The act, signed on 18 September, allows for 100% tariffs on goods imported from the top five buyers of Russian crude oil and natural gas, as well as up to 500% tariffs on direct Russian imports. The primary targets include China, India, Turkey, Brazil, and Azerbaijan, with the European Union also significantly impacted. Trump has made it clear that this legislation is a lever to force both Moscow and Kyiv into peace negotiations, as he emphasized during his 22 September address to the United Nations General Assembly.

The act also provides Trump with significant leverage over Ukraine, as he controls the waivers and execution of these restrictions. While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has welcomed the act, the pressure is on China and India to persuade Russia to negotiate. The legislation also targets Iran, where Trump is determined to prevent the development of nuclear weapons, even if it risks political backlash. His daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, has stated that he is willing to endure potential losses in the mid-term elections to achieve this goal.

The Graham Act’s clever design may also help sever the military ties between Russia and Iran, as Trump aims to isolate Tehran. By forcing Russia into diplomatic talks, Trump hopes to reduce Moscow’s support for Iran, ultimately weakening the regime. The act complements the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996, further tightening economic constraints on both nations.