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Trump says lawmakers may add Iran and Hezbollah to Russia sanctions bill; secondary sanctions under consideration
Summary
In a press exchange at the White House, President Trump said legislators were considering adding Iran and Hezbollah to a sanctions bill tied to Russia and that including secondary sanctions on countries doing business with targets was being discussed.
During a press session, reporters asked President Trump about a pending Russia sanctions bill and whether he would sign it. Trump said lawmakers were considering adding Iran and Hezbollah to the measure and that adding Iran or Hezbollah would be "a very big thing." He also said lawmakers were discussing secondary sanctions for those who do business with targeted groups but that expanded secondary sanctions had "not been discussed" in detail.
What was said: A reporter asked whether Trump would sign the sanctions bill within a week or two and whether Iran would be added. Trump said, "They're gonna add Iran, which is a very big thing if they did that. They may add Hezbollah too. Just put them if you do business with Hezbollah." He added that secondary sanctions on other countries would "have to look" and that "that hasn't been discussed" fully.
Why it matters: Adding Iran and Hezbollah to legislation tied to Russia would broaden the bill’s stated targets and could expand the range of penalties for those who do business with sanctioned entities. The transcript records statements about likely changes under consideration by lawmakers and the president’s responses; the transcript does not include the bill text, vote tallies, or a signed law.
Next steps: The president said congressional consideration was ongoing; the transcript does not record a final text or a signing decision in this session.
