Trump seeks Iran tariffs in Russia sanctions bill as Senate advances measure
US President Donald Trump wants the late Senator Lindsey Graham's Russia sanctions bill to also impose tariffs on Iran, as the Senate moves toward final passage.
President Donald Trump told reporters on 29 July that he wants tariffs on Iran added to the Russia sanctions bill championed by the late Senator Lindsey Graham. 'I want them to add Iran in the form of tariffs, not just sanctions,' Trump said, according to Antara News, CNN Brasil and NBC News. The current version of the bill, named the 'Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026', already extends the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 but does not include tariff authority specific to Tehran.
The Senate voted to begin debate on the measure on 30 July by a margin of 84 to 12, according to Interfax, though another report put the tally at 86 to 12. The bill would grant the president authority to impose 100% tariffs on imports from countries that purchase large volumes of Russian energy, as well as up to 500% tariffs on all Russian imports. It also requires the president to consider restrictions on Russian uranium imports. The legislation originally faced criticism from Trump, who sought broader powers, but after Graham's death on 11 July Trump said he was likely to sign it 'in honour of Lindsey'.
Trump stated that the House of Representatives does not need to return early from its August recess to consider the bill, but reiterated his desire to see Iran included in the tariff provisions. Democratic senators have expressed concerns about granting the president such broad tariff powers, while the Russian embassy in Washington warned that the bill would ultimately harm the United States itself. The embassy's statement, reported by Antara, said the new sanctions 'harm the Trump administration and will ultimately hurt America more'.
The Senate aims to complete final passage before its recess begins on 10 August. The House will not take up the bill until it returns in September. If the House passes the current version without adding Iran tariffs, Trump could veto the legislation, requiring a two-thirds majority in both chambers to override. Should House Republicans seek to amend the bill to meet Trump's request, the process could be delayed and risk losing Democratic support.
| Russian & CIS press | −0.20 | neutral |
|---|---|---|
| Atlantic / Anglosphere press | 0.00 | neutral |
| Latin American press | 0.00 | neutral |
The Russian press frames Trump's request to add Iran tariffs as another complication in the already troubled legislative process for the Russia sanctions bill. It emphasizes internal U.S. congressional divisions and Democratic doubts, portraying the process as mired in power struggles.
The Atlantic press presents Trump's demand as a move that complicates the bipartisan Russia sanctions bill, highlighting Democratic concerns about tariff powers. The tone is measured, focusing on internal political dynamics.
The Latin American press reports Trump's statement directly and neutrally, without analysis of the political context. The news is presented as a simple update on Russia sanctions.
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