Trump Imposes 25% Tariff on Countries Trading With Iran
US President Donald Trump has announced a 25 percent tariff on goods from countries that trade with Iran. This move aims to increase pressure on Tehran during ongoing protests across the country.
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Monday, Trump said the tariff would take effect “immediately,” warning that any country conducting business with Iran would face the levy on trade with the United States. However, the White House did not provide further details on how “doing business” with Iran would be defined or which countries would be most affected.
China is currently Iran’s largest trading partner, followed by Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and India. The lack of clarity surrounding the scope of the tariff has raised questions about its potential impact on global trade and diplomatic relations.
The announcement comes as anti-government protests in Iran enter a third week, driven largely by economic hardship and public anger over the rapid decline of the national currency. Trump has previously warned that the United States could consider military action if Iranian authorities continue to use deadly force against protesters. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said on Monday that military options, including air strikes, remain “on the table.”
Iran has been grappling with a deepening economic crisis, worsened by long-standing international sanctions related to its nuclear programme, as well as domestic issues such as corruption and economic mismanagement. The Iranian rial has fallen to record lows over the past year, while inflation has reportedly exceeded 40 per cent, leading to sharp increases in the cost of basic goods, including food items.
Protests began in late December after another steep fall in the value of the rial against the US dollar. Demonstrations have since spread to several cities, with shopkeepers and workers joining street protests in Tehran and other urban centres.
The US-based Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA) says it has verified the deaths of nearly 500 protesters and 48 members of Iran’s security forces, although other sources suggest the toll could be significantly higher. Thousands of people have reportedly been arrested, but an ongoing internet blackout has made independent verification difficult. International media organisations, including the BBC, are unable to report from inside the country.
Trump said on Sunday that Iranian officials had reached out to him to discuss negotiations but added that the United States “may have to act before a meeting” takes place. Tehran has not publicly confirmed any such contact.
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