USA

Trump Extends Iran Sanctions Through 2031, Expands Russia Sanctions Authority

19 September 2026 19:09 PM

NEWS DESK

US President Donald Trump has signed legislation extending existing US sanctions on Iran for another five years, keeping them in effect until 2031. The same law also provides scope for expanding sanctions, tariffs and other restrictive measures against Russia.

According to a White House statement, Trump signed the “Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026,” or H.R. 5334, on Friday.

The legislation extends the 1996 Iran Sanctions Act for another five years. The existing sanctions had been due to expire later this year.

Under the new law, the United States will continue to have the authority through 2031 to take action against foreign individuals and companies involved in Iran’s energy sector. The measures cover activities including the purchase, transportation and financing of Iranian petroleum, insurance-related business and investment in petroleum projects.

The legislation does not impose new sanctions on Iran. Instead, it extends the existing legal framework that allows Washington to target foreign entities involved in Iran’s energy industry.

Tehran has described the latest and tougher US sanctions as “economic terrorism.”

China is the largest buyer of Iranian oil. According to data from the US Treasury Department, around 90 percent of Iran’s total oil exports go to China. The United States has previously imposed sanctions on oil traders, shipping companies and tanker operators in the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong and India over their alleged involvement in the sale and transportation of Iranian oil.

Entities targeted by US sanctions can face restrictions on assets held in the United States, access to US financial institutions and transactions conducted in US dollars.

The legislation is named after Republican Senator Lindsey O. Graham, who died in July. Graham was a prominent supporter of the US-Israeli war against Iran and a strong advocate of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. He also played a role in advancing the legislation.

The extension means that foreign companies and financial institutions doing business with Iran—particularly in the energy sector—will continue to face the risk of US secondary sanctions through 2031.

Trump Sanctions Iran