U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday announced sweeping new trade penalties aimed at isolating Iran, warning that any country continuing commercial ties with Tehran will face a 25% tariff on all business conducted with the United States.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the tariff would take effect immediately and left little room for negotiation. “Any country doing business with Iran will be charged a 25% tariff on any and all business being done with the United States of America,” he wrote, adding, “This Order is final and conclusive.”
The White House has so far offered no clarification on how the measure will be implemented or which countries could be affected. A White House official declined to respond to questions seeking details on the scope and legal basis of the announcement, according to CNBC.
The move appears to be part of a broader effort by Trump to economically pressure Iran at a time when the country is facing widespread anti-government protests. Demonstrations have intensified across several cities in recent weeks, with reports indicating that dozens of protesters have been killed during crackdowns by security forces.
Trump has openly backed the protests and warned Tehran of potential consequences if the violence continues. Over the weekend, he publicly encouraged demonstrators, writing that Iran was “looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before,” and said the United States was ready to assist.
The tariff threat also comes as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to rule on the legality of several major tariff regimes imposed during Trump’s presidency. Many of those measures, including so-called “reciprocal” tariffs and duties linked to alleged fentanyl trafficking, were enacted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
It remains unclear whether the newly announced Iran-related tariffs are also being justified under the same law, raising fresh legal and economic questions as Washington signals a tougher stance against Tehran and its global trading partners.
BOB Post
