Washington: US President Donald Trump has signed legislation extending the existing US Iran Sanctions Act through 2031, keeping a key framework of economic restrictions on Tehran in place for another five years.
Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 on Friday, according to the White House. The legislation also introduces new sanctions and tariff powers targeting Russia and countries involved in its energy trade.
The Iran provision extends the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996, which had been scheduled to expire at the end of 2026. The extension runs through December 31, 2031. The legislation largely preserves the existing statutory framework rather than introducing a new set of individual sanctions against Iranian entities.
The measure passed the US Senate in August by 86 votes to 11 before the House approved the legislation on September 16 by 262 votes to 159. It was then sent to Trump for his signature.
The wider law is primarily focused on Russia and gives the US president additional authority to impose tariffs on countries that purchase Russian oil or gas or assist in sanctions evasion. The legislation also targets Russian officials, financial institutions and the so called shadow fleet of tankers used to transport Russian energy.
For Iran, the significance is the continuation of a longstanding US sanctions framework at a time when Washington and Tehran remain at odds over their broader relationship and regional security issues.
The five year extension means the statutory basis for the Iran sanctions will remain in place well beyond the current US administration, although the specific use of sanctions and other executive measures can change with future US policy.
