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U.S. House Passes Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, 2026
The U.S. House has passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 by 262-159, after Senate approval. The Bill has been sent to President Trump for further action.
Russia and Iran Act of 2026:
| Dimension | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Objective | The Bill provides for intensifying economic pressure on Russia, particularly its energy sector and mechanisms used to evade sanctions. |
| Major Targets | The Bill comprises targets including the Russian energy sector, individuals and entities linked to Russia, the “shadow fleet” of tankers facilitating Russian oil shipments and sanctions evasion, and Russian energy trade with third countries. |
| Iran-Related Provisions | Certain provisions of the Bill also concern Iran. |
| Tariff Provision | The Bill authorises the U.S. President to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries that continue purchasing Russian energy. |
| Automatic Applicability to India | The tariff provision does not automatically impose tariffs on India, and it grants the President authority to levy tariffs if statutory conditions are satisfied. |
| Countries at Risk of Tariffs: Importer and Purchase Conditions | A country may face tariffs if it is among the top 5 importers by volume of Russian crude oil or natural gas during the preceding 12 months, and it knowingly makes new purchases of Russian crude oil after the specified 30-day period following enactment. |
| Countries at Risk of Tariffs: Sanctions Evasion Facilitation | Countries identified among the top 5 facilitators of Russian oil sanctions evasion may also be targeted. |
| Exemptions | Tariffs may not apply if a country takes significant steps to reduce Russian natural-gas imports, or imports less than 15% of Russia’s total natural-gas exports. |
| India’s Position | India’s position comprises emphasis on energy security, diversification of energy sources, adaptation to changing market forces, and protection of trade and economic interests. |
| India’s Communication to U.S. Officials | India has conveyed to U.S. officials that such sanctions could affect India-US bilateral relations and global energy markets. |