Trump urges Republicans to add Iran to Russia sanctions bill

Trump the president said the move reflected what Senator Lindsey Graham wanted and was going to happen, marking it “IMPORTANT” in a Truth Social post.

First Published: July 19, 2026, 10:39 AM ET

WASHINGTON D.C. — Donald Trump pressed Republicans to fold Iran into the pending Russia sanctions bill in a Truth Social post on July 19, 2026 at 2:27 PM ET.

The president cast the push as unfinished business tied to Senator Lindsey Graham, saying the plan was already set to move before he weighed in. He framed the demand as urgent, stamping it with capital letters and closing with his initials.

Here is the full post on truthsocial: “Republicans should add Iran to the Russian Sanctions Bill. That’s what Lindsey wanted to do, and it was going to happen. IMPORTANT!!! President DJT”

The appeal lands as Trump manages the aftermath of a war with Iran and a contested peace effort he brokered. A majority of Americans, 57%, say going to war in Iran was the wrong decision, while 27% say it was the right one, according to yougov.com. MAGA Republicans break sharply the other way, backing the war 77% to 5%, according to yougov.com.

The stakes cut across two adversaries at once. Adding Iran to a Russia sanctions measure would widen the economic pressure Congress can apply, hitting Tehran’s revenue while keeping Moscow in the frame. Iran’s leadership stands to lose access to financial channels, while sanctions hawks in both parties would gain a broader legal tool.

Americans remain split on how the Iran conflict should close. Most, 65%, say the United States should strike a deal to end the war as soon as possible, yet only 36% would accept an end that lets Iran keep its enriched uranium, according to yougov.com. Nearly half, 46%, expect the war to last another year or more, the highest share recorded since fighting began, according to yougov.com.

For the average reader, sanctions law shapes energy prices and the cost of goods tied to global oil flows. Tighter measures on Iranian exports can ripple into fuel markets that households feel at the pump. They also signal how far Washington intends to press two of its largest adversaries at once.

Has this happened before? This has happened before. Congress passed the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act in 2017, a single law that bundled penalties against Russia, Iran and North Korea. That measure showed lawmakers have already grouped Iran and Russia into one sanctions vehicle.

The next move rests with Senate and House Republican leaders who control the sanctions bill’s floor schedule. No date for a vote on adding Iran has been announced.

Graham and Trump have long moved in tandem on Iran, though not without friction. The South Carolina senator broke with Trump over Syria troop withdrawals in 2018, warning the pullback would strengthen Iran, before realigning with the president on a hard line toward Tehran. That pattern of public disagreement followed by reunion has repeatedly steered Graham back into the role of Trump’s chief Senate ally on Middle East policy.