President Donald Trump warned that any country conducting business with Iran will face a 25% tariff on all trade with the United States, escalating economic pressure as Iran confronts its largest anti-government protests in years. In a Truth Social post, Trump said the measure takes effect immediately and declared the decision final. He offered no additional details.
Tariffs are paid by US importers, and Iran has already endured years of sweeping sanctions. Nevertheless, the new threat could affect countries that remain major destinations for Iranian exports, including China, the United Arab Emirates and India.
Diplomacy Considered While Legal and Policy Questions Persist
However, the White House has not published formal documentation outlining the policy, the legal authority behind it, or whether it would apply to all of Iran’s trading partners. The administration did not respond to media inquiries. Meanwhile, Trump said he remained open to meeting Iranian officials and claimed ongoing contact with opposition figures, while continuing to warn of possible military action.
Tehran said it is keeping communication channels open with Washington as Trump weighs his response. Iran’s recent demonstrations, which began over economic hardship, have evolved into broader demands for political change. A US-based rights group, HRANA, reported 599 verified deaths since protests began on December 28, including protesters and security personnel.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said diplomacy remains the president’s preferred option, although other measures remain under consideration. During his second term, Trump has used tariffs to pressure countries over ties with US adversaries and over unfair trade practices.
Moreover, Trump’s strategy faces legal scrutiny.
