Trump Urges Congress: Include Iran in 'Russia Sanctions Act' – US Senators: Russia-Iran Cooperation Poses Greater Strategic Threat

Former US President Donald Trump has urged Republican members of Congress to include Iran in the currently advancing 'Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025,' advocating for the simultaneous strengthening of sanctions against both Russia and Iran through a single legislative mechanism. He emphasized that this initiative aligns with the late Senator Lindsey Graham’s long-standing push and urged Republicans to expedite the legislative amendments.

Trump stated on his social media platform Truth Social: 'Republicans should add Iran to the Russia Sanctions Act. This is exactly what Lindsey always wanted to do and was about to achieve. Very important (IMPORTANT!!!).'

On July 18, the United States launched retaliatory airstrikes against Iran once again. Trump’s statement highlights the rising internal Republican sentiment to jointly pressure both Iran and Russia, aiming to enhance US diplomatic and economic leverage by consolidating sanctions legislation.

According to The Hill, Senator Graham introduced the 'Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025' in April 2025, primarily targeting Russia with stricter economic and financial sanctions. The bill had previously stalled in Congress but has recently regained momentum with increased support from lawmakers.

Trump’s public call to include Iran in the bill is closely tied to the rapidly escalating situation in the Middle East. As reported by The Hill, the US government has resumed military operations against Iran over the past week and halted diplomatic negotiations previously aimed at ending the conflict. This escalation traces back to late February, when the US and Israel jointly launched military strikes against Iran, leading to a continuous rise in tensions.

The report indicates that US forces conducted retaliatory airstrikes against Iran on July 18 in response to a series of prior attacks. In these attacks, two US service members were killed in Jordan. Trump described the incident as 'a very sad thing' and stressed that the US must take necessary measures in response.

As US-Iran tensions rise once more, several prominent Republican senators have publicly supported Trump’s stance, arguing that both Iran and Russia individually threaten US national security, and their growing cooperation poses an even greater strategic threat, necessitating synchronized sanctions.

Republican Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas posted on X (formerly Twitter): 'Trump is absolutely right. Both Iran and Russia must pay a higher price for their attacks on the civilized world.'

Cotton announced he will introduce new legislation to make the current Iran Sanctions Act permanent, removing expiration limits on US sanctions against Iran and further enhancing long-term pressure capabilities.

Republican Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina also posted on X, stating that Iran and Russia are major security threats to the US and its allies, and their deepening cooperation further amplifies the risks they pose.

Scott said his bipartisan 'Solidify Iran Sanctions Act' aims to make sanctions against Iran permanent and provide the president with comprehensive legal tools to swiftly impose sanctions and hold responsible parties accountable when Iran continues destabilizing activities or threatens US interests.

Trump’s public call to amend the 'Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025' reflects a growing consensus within the Republican Party to treat Russia and Iran as strategic partners jointly challenging US and allied security interests. Through congressional legislation, they aim to establish a more comprehensive and long-term effective sanctions regime, increasing policy flexibility for future responses to threats from both nations.