Trump threatens 25% tariff on all nations trading with Iran

US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 25% tariff on “any country” that conducts business with Iran, a move that significantly escalates economic pressure on Tehran and its global trading partners.

In a post shared on Truth Social, Trump announced the measure as a definitive shift in US trade policy. “Under this decision, which will take effect immediately, any country that does business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a 25% tariff on all business done with the United States of America. This decision is final and conclusive. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” Trump wrote.

The threat follows reports and allegations that hundreds of people have been killed during a crackdown on internal protests in Iran. Trump had previously warned that the US might intervene if the Iranian government continued to use lethal force against demonstrators.

While the US maintains very little direct trade with Iran due to years of stringent sanctions targeting Tehran’s nuclear program, the implications for third parties are vast. According to Department of Commerce statistics, the US imported only $6.2 million worth of goods from Iran last year, while exporting just over $90 million to the country.

However, the US maintains massive trade volumes with several of Iran’s primary economic partners, including China, India, the United Arab Emirates, and the EU.

Earlier this year, Trump issued similar threats to impose tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil. To date, however, he has only implemented such measures against India while granting an exemption to China. Similarly, in March, he threatened a 25% tariff on any nation purchasing oil or gas from Venezuela, though that threat does not appear to have been fully realized.

A statement published Monday on the website of the US Embassy in Iran highlighted the deteriorating security situation on the ground:

“Protests are intensifying across Iran and may turn violent, leading to arrests and injuries. Increased security measures, road closures, disruptions to public transport services, and internet blockages continue. The Iranian government has restricted access to mobile, landline, and national internet networks. Airlines continue to limit or cancel flights to and from Iran, and some have suspended services until Friday, January 16.”

The embassy urged US citizens to expect continued internet outages, plan for alternative means of communication, and consider departing Iran by land via Armenia or Türkiye if it is safe to do so.

Reports also indicate that France has begun evacuating all “non-essential” personnel from its embassy in Tehran.

Earlier in the day, the White House suggested that the Iranian leadership is adopting a tone in private that differs sharply from its defiant public rhetoric. Officials characterized this as a sign that Tehran may wish to negotiate with Trump, even as the president has publicly weighed the possibility of conducting air strikes against the country.

Reports suggest that the Iranian Foreign Minister has reached out to Trump’s special representative, Steve Witkoff, with a meeting expected to take place in the coming days.

The US remains focused on restarting nuclear disarmament talks with Iran. However, some critics of the regime expressed concern that Tehran may be using diplomatic channels primarily to buy time while continuing its domestic crackdown.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on Monday that “diplomacy has always been the president’s first choice,” while emphasizing that Trump is keeping all options on the table, including military action.

“The public statements from the Iranian regime are quite different from the messages the administration has received privately. I believe the president is interested in examining these messages,” Leavitt said.

Despite the diplomatic opening, the spokesperson noted that the president has shown he will not hesitate to use military force when necessary, adding that “no one knows this better than Iran.”

When asked what Trump seeks from the negotiations beyond nuclear disarmament, Leavitt replied, “He has made it clear that he certainly does not want to see people being killed on the streets of Tehran, and unfortunately, that is what we are seeing right now.”