U.S. President Donald Trump announced that any country continuing to engage in trade with Tehran will face a 25% tariff on their trade with the United States, in response to the ongoing protests in Iran, now entering their third week.
اضافة اعلان
In a post on his social media platform, Trump stated that the tariffs would be applied “immediately” to all countries maintaining commercial relations with Iran, even if they also trade with the U.S.
Trump described the decision as “final and decisive”, without providing details on the implementation mechanisms or specifying which types of transactions would be targeted.
The announcement comes amid widespread protests in Iran that began in late 2025, escalating into one of the most severe waves of unrest the country has experienced in decades.
Norway-based Human Rights in Iran (IHR) reported that at least 648 people, including nine children, have been killed during the protests, warning that the actual number could be much higher, potentially exceeding 6,000 according to other estimates.
The organization added that ongoing internet shutdowns make independent verification of casualties extremely difficult, noting that around 10,000 people have been arrested.
IHR director Mahmoud Amiri-Moghaddam called on the international community to act, stressing a responsibility to protect civilians from what he described as mass killings by Iranian authorities.
Meanwhile, the White House stated that President Trump remains ready to use military force if necessary, while emphasizing that his administration still prioritizes a diplomatic path.
The new tariff policy poses a direct threat to key economic partners of Iran, including China, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Iraq, who together account for a significant portion of Tehran’s foreign trade.
While the tariffs aim to cut off vital arteries of the Iranian economy, they put Iran’s trading partners in a difficult position—either continue dealing with Tehran or maintain broader access to the massive U.S. market.
The White House is preparing to discuss next steps regarding Iran, with a National Security Council meeting expected on Tuesday, although President Trump’s attendance remains uncertain.
Trump has indicated that military options remain on the table if protests in Iran continue to produce more casualties, while also noting that Iranian officials have reached out for negotiations.
The roots of the crisis in Iran lie not only in economic turmoil and currency collapse but also in growing doubts over the legitimacy of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
—Agencies
