Trump Urges Republicans to Include Iran in Russia Sanctions Bill

Former US President Donald Trump on Sunday urged Republicans to include Iran in a Russia sanctions bill. Trump wrote on "Truth Social": "Republicans should add Iran to the Russia sanctions bill," asserting it was a demand of the late Senator Lindsey Graham. The statement relates to an updated sanctions bill targeting Russia and its energy buyers. Introduced by Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and developed with the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, its official version is on the Senator's website. The bill's new version, named "Graham" in honor of the late senator, proposes restrictions on Russian President Vladimir Putin, his senior military and political leaders, businessmen, state-owned companies, and foreign entities supporting Russia's defense industry (per US assessment). It sanctions Russia's Central Bank, Sberbank, and Gazprombank. Major Russian energy projects are targeted, including Yamal LNG, three other Arctic LNG projects, and future Arctic energy ventures. Instead of a prior 500% tariff proposal on energy imports from Russia's buyers, the bill now suggests 100% tariffs on the top five importers of Russian oil and gas, plus five nations aiding Russia in circumventing Western energy sanctions. Senators also proposed restrictions on the "shadow fleet." Trump stated on July 14 that the bill's adoption chances against Russia were high, but reports later indicated the Senate's timetable for this initiative remains unset.