Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026

(a) Exception for humanitarian assistance

(1) In general. Sanctions and other measures under this title shall not apply to—

(A) the conduct or facilitation of a transaction for the provision of agricultural commodities, food, medicine, medical devices, humanitarian assistance, or for humanitarian purposes; or

(B) transactions that are necessary for, or related to, the activities described in subparagraph (A).

(2) Rule of interpretation. This subsection should be interpreted to apply to an entity carrying out any internationally recognized agreement with the Government of Ukraine for the sale or provision of agricultural commodities, food, medicine, or medical devices to and from Ukraine unless the President determines that the agreement is being used to evade sanctions imposed by the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, or the Group of 7.

(3) Definitions. In this subsection:

(A) Agricultural commodity. The term agricultural commodity has the meaning given such term in section 102 of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 5602).

(B) Medical device. The term medical device has the meaning given the term device in section 201 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321).

(C) Medicine. The term medicine has the meaning given the term drug in section 201 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321).

(b) Exception for intelligence and law enforcement activities. This title shall not apply with respect to activities subject to the reporting requirements under title V of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3091 et seq.) or to carry out or assist any authorized intelligence or law enforcement activities of the United States.

(c) Exception To comply with international obligations. Sanctions under this title shall not apply to the admission or parole of an alien into the United States if such admission or parole is necessary to comply with United States obligations under the Agreement between the United Nations and the United States of America regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations, signed at Lake Success June 26, 1947, and entered into force November 21, 1947, or under the Convention on Consular Relations, done at Vienna April 24, 1963, and entered into force March 19, 1967, or other international obligations.

(d) Exception To comply with civilian nuclear cooperation agreements. This title shall not apply to activities carried out under an agreement for cooperation between the United States and the Russian Federation entered into under section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2153).

(e) Exception for certain imports of low-enriched uranium for nuclear reactors. This title shall not apply with respect to imports into the United States of low-enriched uranium described in paragraph (1) of section 3112A(d) of the USEC Privatization Act (42 U.S.C. 2297h–10a(d)) or medical isotopes for which a waiver has been issued under paragraph (2) of that section.

(f) Exception for official government business. This title shall not apply to transactions for the conduct of official business of the United States Government (including transactions necessary for the operation of the United States embassy or United States consulates in the Russian Federation) or the United Nations (including its specialized agencies, programs, funds, and related organizations) by employees, grantees, or contractors thereof.

(g) Exception for non-Russian oil that transits Russian territory. This title shall not apply to oil originating in a country other than the Russian Federation that transits the territory of the Russian Federation, or to any entity that transports such oil, for export to international markets.

(h) General licenses

(1) In general. This title shall not apply with respect to a United States person that is operating under the terms of a general license issued by the Department of the Treasury before the date of the enactment of this Act.

(2) Rule of construction. Nothing in this title shall be construed to affect the terms of a general license described in paragraph (1), the authority of United States persons to continue to operate under such a license, or the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to extend or issue new general licenses.

(i) Exception for winddown operations. During the 270-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, sanctions under this title shall not apply with respect to—

(1) an activity related to the winddown or divestiture of operations in the Russian Federation by an entity located in the Russian Federation that is not owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by a Russian person; or

(2) an entity located in the Russian Federation that is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by a United States person if that United States person is engaged in good faith efforts to winddown or divest operations in the Russian Federation, including providing ongoing operational support to wind down or divest operations.

(j) Exception for safety of vessels and crew. Sanctions under this title shall not apply with respect to a person providing provisions to a vessel otherwise subject to sanctions under this title if such provisions are intended—

(1) for the safety and care of the crew aboard the vessel;

(2) for the protection of human life aboard the vessel; or

(3) to avoid any environmental or other significant damage.

(k) Exception relating to activities of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

(1) In general. This title shall not apply with respect to activities of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

(2) Rule of construction. Nothing in this title shall be construed to authorize the imposition of any sanction or other condition, limitation, restriction, prohibition, or other measure, that directly or indirectly impedes the supply by any entity of the Russian Federation of any product or service, or the procurement of such product or service by any contractor or subcontractor of the United States or any other entity, relating to or in connection with any space launch conducted for—

(A) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; or

(B) any other non-Department of Defense customer.