US President Donald Trump has signed into law a bill tightening sanctions against Russia and Iran, formally enacting one of the most far-reaching measures of its kind in recent years. The legislation is named after the late Republican senator Lindsey Graham, a longtime advocate of a hard line toward Moscow and Tehran.
The measure provides for sanctions against Russia's senior leadership, Russian oligarchs and vessels belonging to the country's so-called shadow fleet — the network of aging, often unregistered tankers used to move oil and other cargoes while evading existing restrictions. By targeting both decision-makers and the logistics that sustain Russian exports, the law aims to close loopholes that earlier rounds of sanctions left open.
The signing marks a significant escalation in Washington's economic pressure on Russia, and it comes alongside measures directed at Iran, extending the scope of the legislation beyond a single country. The bill's naming after Lindsey Graham underscores the bipartisan support that sanctions policy has long commanded in Congress, even as other areas of foreign policy remain sharply contested.
For European allies, the move is likely to be read as a signal that the United States intends to keep tightening the financial and maritime constraints around Russia's economy. The shadow fleet has become a central concern for governments seeking to enforce price caps and export controls, since these vessels operate with opaque ownership structures and frequently change flags and operators to avoid detection.
Sanctions on senior Russian officials and oligarchs are intended to raise the personal cost of supporting the current course, while measures against shipping aim to make it harder for Moscow to convert energy revenues into resources for its war effort. The inclusion of Iran reflects a broader effort to link the two countries in a single legislative framework, a step that could complicate their already extensive cooperation.
The practical effect of the law will depend on how aggressively the US Treasury and allied authorities enforce it. Previous sanctions rounds have been criticized for leaving gaps that allow trade to continue through third countries and intermediaries. The new legislation is designed in part to address those gaps, though its impact will only become clear over the coming months as implementing rules are issued.
Moscow has not yet indicated how it will respond, but Russian officials have consistently dismissed earlier sanctions as ineffective and have pointed to alternative trading partners. Iran, for its part, has weathered years of restrictions and has deepened ties with Russia in energy, defense and logistics.
The bill's passage also carries a domestic political dimension. Naming the law after Lindsey Graham, who died before seeing it enacted, places the measure within a longer tradition of US sanctions legislation that has often outlasted the administrations that signed it. Whether the new law produces a measurable shift in Russian or Iranian behavior remains an open question, but it adds another layer to a pressure campaign that shows no sign of easing.