US President Donald Trump has announced the immediate imposition of a 25% tariff on countries that maintain trade ties with Iran, escalating economic pressure on Tehran as Washington weighs its response to ongoing anti-government protests in the country.
In a statement posted late Monday on Truth Social, Trump said that any country conducting business with Iran would face a blanket 25% tariff on all trade with the United States. The announcement marks a sharp expansion of US economic measures linked to Iran, which has already been under extensive American sanctions for years.
No formal documentation outlining the policy has yet been published by the White House, and officials have not clarified the legal basis for the move or whether it would apply uniformly to all of Iran’s trading partners. The White House has not responded to requests for comment.
The announcement drew swift international reaction. China criticized the approach, warning it would take all necessary steps to protect its interests and reiterating its opposition to unilateral sanctions. Japan and South Korea said they were closely monitoring developments and assessing potential impacts on their economies.
The new tariffs could have significant global repercussions, particularly for China, Iran’s largest trading partner and a major exporter to the US. Analysts warn that, if applied to Chinese goods, the measure could push total US tariffs on imports from China to at least 45%, up from the current average of 20%.
Iran has been experiencing widespread protests amid mounting economic and political pressure. While Trump has signaled openness to potential contacts with Iranian officials and opposition figures, he has also continued to threaten tougher economic and military measures. Tehran has said it is keeping communication channels with Washington open as it assesses the situation.
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