WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that any country conducting business with Iran will face a 25% tariff on all trade with the United States, escalating economic pressure on Tehran amid its largest anti-government protests in years.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said the measure would take effect immediately.
“Any country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America,” he wrote, adding that the decision was “final and conclusive.”
Tariffs are paid by US importers purchasing goods from affected countries. Iran has already been under extensive US sanctions for years, but no formal documentation or legal framework for the new tariff measure was published by the White House. Officials also did not clarify whether the policy would apply to all of Iran’s trading partners. The White House did not respond to requests for further comment.
The announcement comes as Iran faces widespread unrest, following demonstrations that began on December 28 over economic hardship and later evolved into calls for the overthrow of the clerical establishment. According to US-based rights group HRANA, at least 599 people — including 510 protesters and 89 security personnel — have been killed during the unrest.
Trump has said the US is weighing multiple options in response to the crisis, including diplomatic engagement. Tehran confirmed on Monday that communication channels with Washington remain open, despite escalating rhetoric and threats of military action.
While military strikes remain among the options being considered, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said diplomacy remains the administration’s preferred path. “Diplomacy is always the first option for the president,” she said.
Trump has frequently used tariffs during his second term as a tool to pressure countries over their relationships with US adversaries and trade practices he considers unfair. However, his tariff authority is currently under scrutiny, with the US Supreme Court reviewing the legality of several existing measures.
Iran, a member of the OPEC oil producers’ group, traded with 147 countries in 2022, according to the latest available World Bank data.