Library Briefing Details US Iran Sanctions Framework
A Library of Congress research briefing outlines the legal structure of US sanctions targeting Iran and notes that the only enacted law this Congress has been waived indefinitely.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in International Relations
The US Library of Congress has published a research briefing on US sanctions against Iran, covering primary and secondary sanctions and the statutory authorities behind them. The briefing notes that the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 is the only Iran-sanctions-related law enacted in the 119th Congress, and that it was waived indefinitely by executive order in October 2026.
Why it matters
The briefing clarifies how sanctions on Iran are built, from targeted activity bans to measures that deter third parties from dealing with sanctioned entities. Because Congress's only enacted Iran sanctions law is now waived, the current sanctions posture depends heavily on executive action.
The Library of Congress briefing identifies one Iran-sanctions law enacted in the 119th Congress, the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which was waived indefinitely in October 2026 by executive order. The briefing does not specify the waiver's terms or whether the Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act, which passed the House, has progressed further.
The players
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the research arm of the US Congress, providing legislative research and briefings to lawmakers and the public.
Lindsey O. Graham
Lindsey O. Graham is a Republican senator from South Carolina and a longtime advocate for sanctions against Russia and Iran, for whom the enacted sanctions act is named.
The details
The briefing separates primary sanctions, which target activity supporting Iran's adversarial behavior, from secondary sanctions, which discourage third parties from engaging with sanctioned people and entities. It also describes statutory authority covering Iran's key economic sectors, the arms trade to and from Iran, and the Iranian government itself.
Timeline
January 2025 - January 2027: The 119th Congress, during which the only enacted Iran sanctions law passed.
October 2026: The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 was waived indefinitely by executive order.
November 4, 2026: The Library of Congress briefing was published.
Political Context
The Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 was the only Iran-sanctions measure enacted this Congress, so its October 2026 indefinite waiver leaves executive order as the main lever on Iran policy. Proposals such as the Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act, which passed the House, remain in the legislative pipeline without a stated path to enactment.
Because the only enacted Iran sanctions law has been waived, the sanctions regime affecting Iranian trade and transactions now rests on executive decisions rather than statute. Businesses dealing with Iran or third parties tied to it should track executive actions, since secondary sanctions can apply to foreign entities.
The takeaway
Sanctions on Iran rest on a layered legal framework, and with the Congress's only enacted measure now waived, changes in executive policy are the thing to watch.
Further reading
Explore more on International Relations to see how US sanctions policy fits into broader diplomacy with Iran.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Global Sanctions.
