Trump Signs Sanctions Act and Threatens Iran at UN

President Donald Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 into law in mid-September. The legislation authorizes the U.S. to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on the five largest importers of Russian crude oil and natural gas, specifically targeting Russia's energy sector and shadow fleet. While the law does not explicitly name countries, China and India are primary targets. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries opposed the bill, arguing that such executive tariff powers could increase costs for American families.

During the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York, Trump announced he may use these expanded tariff powers to force an end to the war in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the law as an extremely powerful tool and urged India, China, and Turkey to halt energy trade with Russia to collapse Moscow's war economy. In a meeting with Trump, Zelenskyy expressed readiness for a trilateral meeting with Vladimir Putin to end the conflict before winter.

Trump also used the UN podium to issue a severe ultimatum to Iran, threatening to annihilate the Islamic Republic unless a deal is reached to end a seven-month conflict. He further endorsed the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor to shift energy infrastructure away from Iranian checkpoints. The Government of India responded by affirming its commitment to energy security for its population through diversified sourcing, while the Kremlin warned that further sanctions would complicate peace efforts.