Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 30 SEPTEMBER 2026

Weekly Sanctions Update: September 21, 2026

Steptoe LLP
Steptoe LLP
Contributor
Steptoe LLP

Steptoe LLP

Steptoe International (UK) LLP has built a strong reputation for providing top-quality regulatory,...

View firm profile
Explore more from Steptoe LLP

The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 has become law, imposing sweeping sanctions on Russian officials, financial institutions, and shadow fleet vessels while authorizing tariffs up to 100 percent on major purchasers of Russian oil and natural gas. How will these new measures impact global trade relationships, particularly with China and India as the largest buyers of Russian crude?

GlobalGovernment, Public Sector
Steptoe LLP
Steptoe LLP

US Developments

The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 Becomes Law

On September 16, the US House of Representatives passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 by a vote of 262 to 159, and President Donald Trump signed the bill into law on September 18. Originally introduced in April 2025, the Act gained momentum after the President signaled support in November 2025, conditioned on new tariff authorities and flexibility over the imposition of sanctions. Absent a presidential waiver, the Act imposes sanctions on various persons and entities, including Russian officials, certain Russian financial institutions, and Russia’s “shadow fleet” vessels.

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

See more popular content from

Article

SBA Extends Deadline For Comments On Historic Overhaul Of Size Standards

The Small Business Administration has extended the comment period for two proposed rules that could dramatically reshape federal government contracting by significantly expanding the pool of entities eligible for small business set-aside procurements. With some size standard thresholds proposed to increase as much as tenfold, these changes would fundamentally alter the makeup of the small business contractor base.
United StatesGovernment, Public Sector
Crowell & Moring LLP
Crowell & Moring LLP
Article

BIOSECURE Act Update: Court Enjoins WuXi AppTec’s 1260H Designation, but Strategic and Compliance Clocks Keep Running

The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has preliminarily enjoined the Department of War from enforcing WuXi AppTec's Section 1260H designation, finding the agency misread its evidence on state and military affiliation. However, this ruling does not close alternative pathways to biotechnology company of concern (BCC) designation under the BIOSECURE Act, and earlier supply-chain restrictions continue to drive near-term compliance decisions with a critical June 30, 2027 deadline for sub-tier supp
United StatesGovernment, Public Sector
Greenberg Traurig
Greenberg Traurig
Article

Weekly Sanctions Update: September 14, 2026

The Treasury Department intensifies economic pressure on Iran through Operation Economic Outcast, suspending aviation licenses and sanctioning dozens of entities while implementing a presumption of denial for Iran-related transactions. Meanwhile, new enforcement actions target Chinese cybercrime platforms, Ecuadorian terrorist organizations, and Israeli settlers, as Congress considers comprehensive Russia-Iran sanctions legislation.
GlobalGovernment, Public Sector
Steptoe LLP
Steptoe LLP
Article

Massachusetts’ 2026 Ballot Questions: What Clients Need To Know

Massachusetts voters will decide nine statewide ballot questions in November 2026 that could fundamentally reshape the state's legal, regulatory, and fiscal landscape. These measures address government transparency, election reforms, housing development, marijuana regulation, firearms laws, and state revenue limits, with implications extending far beyond Election Day to implementation, regulation, and ongoing policy debates.
United StatesGovernment, Public Sector
Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.
Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.
Article

DOJ Continues DEI False Claims Act Enforcement With $25 Million Accenture Settlement

The Department of Justice announced a $25 million settlement with Accenture Federal Services over allegations that the company violated the False Claims Act by falsely certifying compliance with anti-discrimination requirements while allegedly using race or sex in hiring, promotion, and access to professional development programs. This marks the third major DEI-related FCA enforcement action in 2026, following similar settlements with IBM and Deloitte.
United StatesGovernment, Public Sector
Bass, Berry & Sims PLC
Bass, Berry & Sims PLC
Article

DOJ's $2 Million Honeywell Settlement Under The Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative: What Compliance Failures Mean For Defense Contractors

The Department of Justice secured a $2 million settlement with Honeywell Aerospace for allegedly failing to comply with NIST SP 800-171 cybersecurity requirements under a Department of War contract. This case demonstrates how cybersecurity compliance failures can trigger False Claims Act liability even without an actual data breach or cyberattack, and highlights the growing role of whistleblowers in exposing contractors' gaps between contractual obligations and actual security practices.
United StatesGovernment, Public Sector
Bass, Berry & Sims PLC
Bass, Berry & Sims PLC
Article

National Historic Preservation Act Overhaul: What You Need To Know

The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation has advanced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would fundamentally restructure Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, marking the most significant regulatory overhaul in over 20 years. The proposed changes would shift the consultation process from a multi-step framework to an agency-prepared report system, narrow the scope of protected properties, and grant federal agencies greater unilateral authority in resolving adverse effects.
United StatesGovernment, Public Sector
Kelley Drye & Warren LLP
Kelley Drye & Warren LLP
Article

FCC Moves To Restrict Foreign-Made Drones While Clearing The Airspace For U.S. Innovation

The Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Covered List reforms adopted on July 22, 2026, will take effect October 13, 2026, with significant impacts on the U.S. drone market. The newly effective rules will tighten procedures for modifying devices, including drones, as well as prohibit authorizations for any device that contains "logic-bearing hardware" produced by Covered List entities and extend marketing rules to online marketplaces while expressly requiring them to display FCC identification numbers at the online point of sale.
United StatesGovernment, Public Sector
Holland & Knight
Holland & Knight
Article

FCC Tightens Equipment Rules

The Federal Communications Commission has adopted sweeping new restrictions targeting equipment containing components from entities on its Covered List, fundamentally reshaping how manufacturers, online marketplaces, and equipment modifiers must approach FCC compliance. These rules establish unprecedented prohibitions on logic-bearing hardware components, impose strict display requirements for e-commerce platforms, and clarify when existing authorizations can support equipment modifications.
United StatesMedia, Telecoms, IT, Entertainment
Steptoe LLP
Steptoe LLP
Article

Weekly Sanctions Update: September 14, 2026

The Treasury Department intensifies economic pressure on Iran through Operation Economic Outcast, suspending aviation licenses and sanctioning dozens of entities while implementing a presumption of denial for Iran-related transactions. Meanwhile, new enforcement actions target Chinese cybercrime platforms, Ecuadorian terrorist organizations, and Israeli settlers, as Congress considers comprehensive Russia-Iran sanctions legislation.
GlobalGovernment, Public Sector
Steptoe LLP
Steptoe LLP
Article

Executive Order 14421: National Emergency Declaration Imposes New Restrictions On Foreign Bulk-Power System Equipment

President Trump's Executive Order 14421 declares a national emergency to secure the U.S. bulk-power system, imposing new restrictions on foreign-produced electric equipment that poses national security risks. The order prohibits certain imports and installations while directing the Department of Energy to identify and potentially replace existing vulnerable equipment already on the grid.
United StatesEnergy and Natural Resources
Steptoe LLP
Steptoe LLP
Article

FCC Leads Expanding Federal Restrictions On Foreign Drones

The federal government has implemented a comprehensive regulatory framework targeting foreign drone manufacturers' access to the US market through FCC equipment restrictions, tariffs, and procurement limitations. While existing approvals may no longer guarantee market access, the FCC's conditional approval process offers manufacturers a pathway to continue operations by submitting detailed onshoring plans for review by the Department of War or Department of Homeland Security.
United StatesGovernment, Public Sector
Steptoe LLP
Steptoe LLP
Article

EU Council Adopts 21st Sanctions Package Against Russia

The European Union has unveiled its most comprehensive sanctions package against Russia to date, targeting 216 individuals and entities across energy, financial services, and cryptocurrency sectors. With unprecedented measures including shadow fleet vessel restrictions, crypto-asset service provider bans, and enhanced legal protections for EU operators, this 21st package represents a significant escalation in economic pressure designed to disrupt Russia's war economy and close circumvention channels through
GlobalInternational Law
Steptoe LLP
Steptoe LLP