The U.S. Senate has overwhelmingly passed legislation that would introduce sweeping sanctions against Russia and expand penalties on Iran, clearing a major hurdle for a bill that has been delayed for more than a year.
The proposed legislation sanctions officials in Moscow and allows U.S. President Donald Trump to introduce 100 per cent tariffs on the five countries that are the biggest consumers of Russian oil and gas. China, India, Japan, as well as some European Union countries, could be hit by the measure.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the legislation would increase pressure on Russia to end its invasion of Ukraine.
“Real, strong American pressure and sanctions against Russia are what will help the most. Diplomacy comes closer with every step of pressure on the aggressor.
“Thank you to everyone who understands this and advances PEACE through STRENGTH,” he wrote on X.
The proposed legislation also extends sanctions against Iran’s energy industry and weapons programme, which are due to expire.
The Senate passed the bill by 86 votes to 11, with backing from Democrats and Republicans. It has been named the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, in honour of the Republican senator who spent more than a year pushing for the legislation before his death in July.
As well as the tariff powers, the bill imposes sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin, government officials, oligarchs and their family members, along with Russian banks and financial institutions. It also targets Russia's so-called "shadow fleet" of tankers and shell companies used to move oil around existing sanctions.
Countries that import less than 15 per cent of their natural gas from Russia, and are taking steps to reduce that further, would be exempt from the tariffs.
The bill still has to clear the U.S. House of Representatives, where some lawmakers have raised concerns about handing such broad tariff powers to the White House.
Supporters say the bill offers the clearest sign yet of bipartisan appetite in Washington to increase pressure on Moscow, and are hopeful it can pass the House when lawmakers return from their summer recess on 31 August.
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Here's your AnewZ Daily Brief for 8 October 2026. These are the top five stories from the region. ...
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Russia struck Ukraine overnight in one of the biggest attacks of the conflict, killing at least 19 people, Kyiv's Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday. Around 70 missiles were fired at Ukraine during the attack, as well as drones, the Ministry said.
The Saudi-led coalition says it has carried out a series of military operations against Houthi targets in Yemen after attacks on two Saudi airports left three people dead and dozens injured.
A large Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow and the surrounding region has killed two people, damaged homes and sparked a major fire at a key fuel facility, according to Russian officials and military bloggers.
Azerbaijan and the five Central Asian states have signed two key documents at the 8th Consultative Meeting of Heads of State in Turkmenbashi, formalising a broader framework for regional cooperation in transport, trade, energy, digitalisation and security.
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Iran says it will deliver its response to recent U.S. proposals through intermediaries, underscoring that communication between the two countries continues indirectly alongside ongoing diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions.
International cooperation, lunar exploration and the growing role of artificial intelligence dominated the third day of a major astronautical conference now underway in Antalya.
Armenian authorities have frozen a wide range of assets belonging to billionaire businessman and opposition politician Gagik Tsarukyan as part of proceedings linked to the confiscation of property allegedly acquired illegally.
Azerbaijan has sent another batch of humanitarian aid to Ukraine, consisting of electrical equipment vital for restoring the country’s energy infrastructure and preparing for the winter season.
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