SRINAGAR: US President Donald Trump has imposed a 25 per cent tariff on any country that conducts trade with Iran, intensifying pressure on Tehran over its violent suppression of nationwide protests that have reportedly left nearly 600 people dead and thousands detained. The move, announced with immediate effect, could significantly affect major US trading partners, including India and China, which maintain commercial ties with Iran.
“Effective immediately, any country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a tariff of 25 per cent on any business being done with the United States of America,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social, adding that the order was “final and conclusive”.
The announcement comes as the Trump administration weighs potential military action against Iran in response to the ongoing unrest. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said earlier that air strikes were among several options under consideration, while noting that Tehran had also opened a diplomatic channel through Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff. She said Iran’s private communications struck a “far different tone” from its public rhetoric.
Iran has been gripped by weeks of mass protests, initially triggered by a currency crisis and worsening economic conditions but increasingly directed at the Islamic system led by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The unrest is being described as the most serious challenge to the ruling establishment since the 1979 revolution.
Demonstrations have spread across the country, drawing hundreds of thousands of participants over the weekend. Authorities have responded with a sweeping crackdown, with nearly 600 people killed and more than 10,000 arrested so far, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency.
Trump has publicly expressed support for the protesters and warned Tehran against using force. In an interview last week, he said the United States would respond “very hard” if Iranian security forces continued firing on demonstrators.
On Sunday, Trump said Iranian leaders had reached out to seek talks and that a meeting was being arranged, though he did not provide details. He added that Washington was closely coordinating with allies while assessing its response.
“We’re looking at it very seriously. The military is looking at it, and we’re looking at some very strong options,” Trump told reporters, adding that he was receiving hourly briefings.
According to a Bloomberg report citing a White House official, Trump has been presented with a range of options for potential strikes inside Iran, including targets beyond military facilities, and is seriously considering authorising an attack.
