Trump Extends Iran Sanctions As Yemen Fighting Intensifies.
US President Donald Trump has signed the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, extending existing US sanctions on Iran as the wider conflict in the Middle East continues to affect several countries across the region.
The law extends the existing Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 by five years, moving its expiry from 2026 to 2031. The legislation also introduces measures targeting Russia’s energy and defence sectors and gives the US president authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on major buyers of Russian oil and gas.
The sanctions decision comes as the wider regional conflict continues to involve Iran, the United States, Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi movement. The Houthis, who are aligned with Iran, have expanded their military presence along parts of Yemen’s western coast, increasing concerns about regional security and international shipping routes.
In Sanaa, thousands of people took part in a large rally supporting the Houthis and opposing Saudi Arabia. The demonstration came amid an intensifying exchange of attacks between the Houthis and Saudi-backed Yemeni forces. The United Nations Security Council has expressed concern that the escalation could threaten maritime security, international trade and efforts to achieve peace in Yemen.
Saudi authorities have also issued emergency alerts in Riyadh and Al-Kharj amid concerns over attacks linked to the escalating conflict in Yemen. Saudi Civil Defence later issued an all-clear after the alerts. The developments have raised further concerns about the possibility of the fighting spreading beyond Yemen and creating additional pressure across the Gulf region.
The latest escalation is also having a serious humanitarian impact. More than 115,000 people have reportedly been displaced in Yemen since the renewed fighting began, with families fleeing areas affected by clashes and air attacks. Humanitarian organisations have warned that continued fighting could worsen already difficult conditions for displaced communities.
The developments come alongside continuing tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, where disruption to shipping has added pressure to global energy markets. The combination of US sanctions on Iran, fighting in Yemen and instability around key maritime routes has increased international concern over the wider economic and security consequences of the conflict.
With the conflict continuing to involve multiple countries and armed groups, diplomatic efforts remain focused on preventing further regional escalation. The latest moves by Washington and the continuing fighting in Yemen underline the increasingly interconnected nature of the crisis across the Middle East.
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