Trump Asks Congress to Add Trade Tariffs Against Iran to Sanctions Bill

President Donald Trump is urging Congress to include trade tariffs against Iran in a sanctions bill currently under consideration. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump emphasized that incorporating tariffs alongside traditional financial sanctions would create a more potent tool for pressuring Tehran.

"I would like them to include tariffs for Iran, not just sanctions. I think it is important. That would make the measure much more forceful," the president stated, even though existing sanctions already strictly limit direct trade between the two nations.

The Senate advanced the legislation with a significant bipartisan vote. This bill, initially focused on penalizing Russia for its actions in Ukraine, was expanded to include economic sanctions against Iran at the White House's explicit request.

Trump linked the proposed tariffs to the memory of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, a key architect of the sanctions package. "That is what Lindsey wanted," the president remarked. With Congress approaching its summer recess, Trump pressed lawmakers to expedite the final vote on the measure, suggesting they might need to shorten their break to ensure its passage.