US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday to suspend the Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, a move that delays the implementation of new tariffs and sanctions on Moscow. According to Asharq Al-Awsat, the decision was made just two days before the law's internal deadline for enforcement, effectively putting the measures on hold for a 60-day period. The legislation, which passed Congress with bipartisan support last month, was designed to target Russian energy revenues, financial institutions, and a shadow fleet of tankers.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio explained that the pause allows the administration to analyze how the sanctions would interact with other global economic pressures. The Hindu BusinessLine reported that Rubio cited the Iran war, Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine as factors that could crash into one another, impacting global oil and diesel prices. Rubio stated that the goal is to determine the full scope of the impact on both the US and global economies before finalizing the restrictions.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noted that the US had asked European allies to impose secondary sanctions on China and India for purchasing Russian oil, but they initially refused. The Hindu BusinessLine reported that Bessent questioned why the US should bear the burden alone, especially after European countries waived embargoes on Russian diesel and jet fuel in May. This diplomatic friction has complicated the US strategy, as Washington seeks to coordinate with partners while managing its own energy needs.
Russia’s reaction to the waiver has been positive, with envoy Kirill Dmitriev describing the suspension as a historic moment that prevents serious damage to global markets. Asharq Al-Awsat noted that the Kremlin views the move as a significant diplomatic win, particularly as Russia continues to export discounted oil to Asia. Conversely, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed concern that the US is drifting toward Moscow’s position, a sentiment echoed by European allies who worry about the long-term enforcement of sanctions against Russia.