US Senate Passes Russia-Iran Sanctions Bill

The US Senate passed the late Sen. Lindsey Graham sanctions bill targeting Russia and Iran on Friday, Aug. 7, by an 86-11 vote, sending the sweeping sanctions and tariff package to the House of Representatives. The measure authorizes US President Donald Trump to impose targeted tariffs of up to 100% on imports from the five largest purchasers of Russian crude oil or gas. Clash News reported the final Senate vote after lawmakers considered the revised Graham-Blumenthal legislation under a unanimous-consent agreement.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. “The bill now heads to the House, which returns after the August recess,” the outlet reported. “This legislation hits [Russian President Vladimir] Putin where it hurts,” Darline Graham, sister of the late senator, said as the chamber moved toward a vote, according to journalist Alex Raufoglu. Tariff amendment fails Before the final vote, the Senate rejected an amendment sponsored by Republican Sen. Rand Paul and Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden that would have removed the bill’s secondary-tariff authority, Raufoglu reported. The failed amendment preserved the president’s ability to impose tariffs of up to 100% on imports from countries among the top five buyers of Russian oil or gas. The tariff provisions have generated concern among critics, who argue that granting the White House broad authority to impose tariffs on major US trading partners, such as India, could raise costs for American consumers and affect allies that still depend on Russian energy. Other Topics of Interest Danish Firm Unveils ‘Maritime Fortress’ to Stop Shaheds Before They Reach Odesa Danish defense company BlueShadow aims to deploy its BlueDragon sea-based drone defense system to protect Odesa and Ukraine's Black Sea ports by spring 2027. The revised legislation limits this authority to the five largest buyers of Russian crude oil or gas, compared with earlier versions, and gives the president broad waiver powers based on US national interests. Russia-Iran measures The legislation mandates sanctions against Putin, “his inner circle, banks, state energy projects, and the ‘shadow fleet’ of tankers, plus tariffs up to 500% on direct Russian imports,” Clash News reported. Additionally, the bill renews the 1996 Iran Sanctions Act through 2031, preventing restrictions on Iran’s energy and arms sectors from expiring. The Iran provisions were added to the package during negotiations over the bill’s revised text. On July 28, President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Washington for Graham’s funeral and held meetings with US authorities, including Trump himself, during which they discussed Patriot interceptors and the revival of diplomacy with Moscow. Ukraine relies heavily on Patriot air-defense systems, which are currently the only weapons capable of intercepting Russia’s ballistic missiles. With supplies critically scarce and Russia expected to intensify attacks on energy infrastructure and water systems in its winter campaign, Kyiv continues to urge its allies for air defense support. Ukraine is also urging partners to impose tougher sanctions on Moscow, aiming to deprive Russia’s war machine of the resources needed to sustain its invasion. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.