Trump Signs Sanctions Law Amid Rising Gulf Tensions

Sep 19, 2026

73 min

Sep 19, 2026 05:30

Trump signs Russia-Iran sanctions law; Saudi Arabia on alert amid Houthi threat

## New Sanctions Target Russia and Iran

President Donald Trump has enacted a new sanctions law targeting Russia and Iran. The legislation, known as the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, expands existing sanctions on Iran and introduces new measures against Russia. It allows the President to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries purchasing Russian crude oil or natural gas, potentially affecting major importers like India and China.

## Saudi Arabia on High Alert

Saudi Arabia has been on high alert following reports of Houthi attacks. The Saudi Civil Defence issued and later lifted danger alerts in Riyadh and Al Kharj after explosions were heard. The Houthis claimed that Saudi Arabia conducted 26 airstrikes in Yemen over the past day.

## Maritime Security Concerns

The Multinational Maritime Defence Coalition, led by Saudi Arabia, has achieved initial operational capability to protect key waterways around the Arabian Peninsula. This comes amid heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran claimed to have struck an oil tanker.

## UN Budget Cuts

The Trump administration announced over $1 billion in cuts to the United Nations budget, including reductions in staff and peacekeepers. This move is part of an effort to streamline the UN's focus on peace and security.

## Rising Costs of Conflict

The cost of the US-Iran conflict has reached $43.6 billion, according to the latest estimates. This figure reflects ongoing military expenses and the use of costly munitions.

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