Democrats weigh backing Trump’s push to pair Iran with Russia sanctions

Published July 24, 2026 1:14pm ET



Senate Democrats aren’t yet sold on adding Iran to pending Russia sanctions legislation despite largely supporting economic penalties against both adversaries’ oil sales.

It’s a notion that could be complicated by the fact that President Donald Trump first made the request following new U.S. troop casualties in the Iran war. But the lead Democratic sponsor of the bipartisan Russia sanctions package conceded that hitting Iran would be just as popular — if considered separately.

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