Trump calls for Iran to be added to Russia sanctions bill
President Trump urged lawmakers on Sunday to add Iran to a bill that would impose new sanctions on countries buying Russian oil and natural gas.
The bill, which has the support of more than 60 senators among both parties, was sponsored by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, South Carolina Republican.
“Republicans should add Iran to the Russian sanctions bill. That’s what Lindsey wanted to do and it was going to happen. Important,” Mr. Trump posted on Truth Social.
If passed, the bill would impose mandatory sanctions on Russia, its allies and buyers of Russian energy. The White House has pushed to broaden the scope of sanctions to include Iran and Hezbollah, a militant proxy sponsored by Tehran.
Republicans and Democrats have expressed optimism that the bill could become law this summer.
Sanctions essentially cut individuals and companies off from the Western financial system, prohibiting them from doing business with U.S. companies or putting their money in U.S. financial institutions.
Any funds currently held in U.S. institutions would be frozen. Because the U.S. dollar is the main currency for global transactions, it would have a financial impact on sanctioned entities.
The use of sanctions soared under President Joseph R. Biden following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, reaching an astounding 3,000 in 2024. However, they declined under Mr. Trump, who relied on tariffs to gain leverage over foreign entities.
Mr. Trump has expressed concern over sanctions, saying he believes it moves countries and businesses away from the dollar.