🔸 The U.S. Senate intensifies sanctions on Russia and extends sanctions on Iran

🔻Report by Aban Sari

The U.S. Senate on Friday, August 7, 2026, approved a bill to intensify sanctions against Russia which, if confirmed by the House of Representatives, would increase pressure on Russian politicians and companies and on this country’s oil and gas exports.

As reported by Reuters, the bill would allow the U.S. president to take punitive actions against the largest purchasers of Russian energy.

The measure, which had previously been advanced with the support of Lindsey Graham, the Republican senator who has recently died, also includes extending existing U.S. sanctions on Iran, including restrictions related to the energy and weapons sectors, until 2031.

The law would intensify direct sanctions against Russian politicians and companies and impose further limits on Russian oil and gas exports.

On this basis, Donald Trump, the U.S. president, could target the five largest buyers of Russian energy resources, as well as the five countries that provide the most assistance to Russia in circumventing energy sanctions.

Implementation of this measure could further increase pressure on the U.S. trade relations with China and India, which are among the main importers of Russian oil.

Under the proposal, approved with the support of a majority of senators in the Senate, exemptions would be considered for countries whose imports account for less than 15 percent of Russian gas exports over a 12-month period, and which simultaneously take steps to reduce those purchases.

In order to become law, this bill must also be approved by the House of Representatives; however, given the congressional recess, it is not expected that voting on it will take place until September.

Some Democrats criticized the current version and said the bill grants Donald Trump broad powers regarding the imposition of tariffs.