Here’s what Trump wants.
President Donald Trump is calling on Congress to expand a major sanctions bill by adding Iran to the legislation, saying the move would honor the late Sen. Lindsey Graham’s final legislative priority while sending a strong message to America’s adversaries.
The request comes as tensions continue rising in the Middle East and Russia’s war against Ukraine shows no signs of ending, placing renewed pressure on lawmakers to act.
Trump Wants Iran Added To Sanctions Bill
On Sunday, Trump urged Republicans to amend the bipartisan Russia sanctions legislation so it also targets Iran.
Posting on Truth Social, the president made it clear he believes the change would fulfill one of Graham’s final goals before his passing.
“Republicans ought to expand the Russia sanctions legislation to include Iran. That’s the direction Lindsey wanted to take, and the plan was already moving forward. This is important!”
The proposal immediately drew attention because the legislation has already been gaining momentum after months of negotiations between Congress and the White House.
Lindsey Graham Pushed The Bill Before His Death
The Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 was first introduced in April 2025 but remained stalled while the Trump administration pursued negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin in hopes of ending the war in Ukraine.
Before his death, Graham announced that the White House and Senate Republicans had finally reached an agreement to move the legislation forward after lengthy discussions.
Trump’s latest request would broaden the measure beyond Russia by adding new penalties aimed at Iran.
Middle East Tensions Continue To Escalate
Trump’s push comes as the administration has taken a tougher military stance toward Iran.
Diplomatic talks have been suspended following renewed fighting, and U.S. forces have carried out multiple military operations after Iranian-backed attacks killed two American service members stationed in Jordan.
Calling the deaths “a very sad thing,” Trump vowed that the United States would continue responding to attacks against American troops.
According to U.S. Central Command, recent strikes were designed to weaken Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz while targeting Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps assets connected to missile and drone attacks against U.S. forces.
Trump’s Foreign Policy Strategy Appears To Be Shifting
Trump’s latest comments also reflect a broader shift in his foreign policy approach.
While his administration previously focused on negotiating an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, the president has recently expressed growing frustration with Putin’s refusal to end the conflict.
Adding Iran to the sanctions package would significantly expand the scope of one of the most important foreign policy bills currently before Congress.
Bipartisan Support Continues To Grow
The legislation has attracted support from lawmakers in both parties.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune has said Congress has wanted to advance the bill for quite some time, while Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, described the legislation as a fitting tribute to Graham’s legacy.
Shaheen and Graham previously announced that the White House supported moving the legislation forward after negotiations with congressional leaders.
Democrats Still Have Concerns
Despite growing bipartisan support, some Democrats remain uneasy about parts of the proposal.
Critics argue that the bill would give the president broad authority over tariffs and would permanently codify many sanctions that were previously imposed through executive action.
If enacted, those sanctions would become much more difficult for a future administration to reverse without congressional approval.
Congress Faces A Major Decision
With Trump’s public endorsement and his call to include Iran in the legislation, lawmakers could soon face one of the most significant foreign policy debates of the year.
Supporters argue that expanding the sanctions package would increase pressure on both Russia and Iran while reinforcing America’s commitment to its allies. Opponents are expected to continue scrutinizing the bill’s expanded presidential powers and its long-term impact on U.S. foreign policy.
As Congress returns to the issue, Trump’s latest demand has added a new layer to legislation that is already shaping up to be one of the most closely watched debates on Capitol Hill.