Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026
US law mandating tariffs on major buyers of Russian crude and gas.
The Graham Act's 30-day Deadline for tariffs of up to 100% on the biggest buyers of Russian crude falls around 18 October 2026; the Treasury's 9 October diesel licence went through older regulations instead of its waiver.
Last refreshed: 12 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Timeline for Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026
Mentioned in: OFAC opens US market to Russian diesel
Russia-Ukraine War 2026Mentioned in: Putin decree curbs Russian refinery data
Russia-Ukraine War 2026Mandated tariffs of up to 100% on buyers of Russian crude and gas
Russia-Ukraine War 2026: Trump signs Graham Russia sanctions lawBackground
The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 (H.R. 5334) became US law when Donald Trump signed it on 18 September 2026. The Senate passed it 86-11 on 7 August and The House agreed 262-159 on 16 September. It carries the name of the Republican senator, who died in July 2026.
Within 30 days of enactment it obliges the president to impose duties of up to 100% on goods from the five biggest buyers of Russian crude or gas that keep importing, and from the five largest facilitators of oil-sanctions evasion. It also allows duties of up to 500% on Russian goods, bars US persons from buying Russian sovereign debt and extends the Iran Sanctions Act through 2031. The president may waive measures only after a written national-interest certification and a report to Congress.
Most provisions expire on 18 September 2031. The Act turns secondary tariffs on Russia's oil customers from a threat into a statutory duty, which makes India and other large buyers of Russian crude its main practical targets.
The diesel licence bypassed the Act's waiver
The Act gives the president a waiver, but only after a written national-interest certification and a report to Congress. When the Treasury licensed sales and imports of Russian diesel on 9 October 2026, it used OFAC's existing Russia sanctions regulations rather than the Act's waiver.
That leaves the Act's own clock running. Within 30 days of the 18 September signing, the Act obliges The Administration to impose tariffs as high as 100% on the top five buyers of Russian oil or gas that carry on purchasing, which puts the Deadline around 18 October. India, which buys more than a third of Russia's crude exports, has vowed to protect its trade.
What is the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026?
When do the Graham Act tariffs take effect?
Can the president waive the Graham Act sanctions?
How did Congress vote on the Graham Russia sanctions bill?
