In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that the measure would take effect immediately, adding that any country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran would be subject to the tariff on all trade with the US. He described the order as “final and conclusive” but did not provide further details.
Tariffs are paid by US importers of goods from the affected countries. Iran has been under heavy US sanctions for years, with its main export destinations including China, the United Arab Emirates, and India.
There was no official announcement or documentation published on the White House website regarding the policy. Details about the legal authority for imposing the tariffs, or whether they would apply to all of Iran’s trading partners, were also not provided. The White House did not respond to requests for comment.
Iran, which fought a 12-day war with US ally Israel last year and whose nuclear facilities were bombed by the US military in June, is currently witnessing its largest anti-government protests in years. Trump has said the US may hold talks with Iranian officials and that he is in contact with Iran’s opposition, while continuing to pressure Tehran’s leadership and warning of possible military action.
Tehran said on Monday that it was keeping communication channels with Washington open as Trump considered how to respond to the unfolding situation, which has become one of the most serious challenges to Iran’s clerical leadership since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
The demonstrations, which began over severe economic hardships, have escalated into calls for the overthrow of the ruling establishment. US-based human rights group HRANA said it had confirmed the deaths of 599 people since protests began on December 28, including 510 protesters and 89 members of the security forces.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday that while air strikes were among the options available to Trump, diplomacy remained his preferred approach.
Iranian state television broadcast funeral processions on Monday for individuals authorities said were killed during the unrest.
During his second term, Trump has repeatedly threatened and imposed tariffs on countries over their relations with US adversaries and trade practices he considers unfair. His trade policies are currently under legal scrutiny, with the US Supreme Court considering challenges to a wide range of existing tariffs.
Iran, an OPEC member, exported goods to 147 trading partners in 2022, according to the most recent World Bank data.
