US President Donald Trump has announced a 25 percent tariff on goods from all countries that have trade relations with Iran. In an announcement on Truth Social, he said that the tariff will take effect immediately and is a “final order.”
The BBC report said that Trump took these tough economic measures in the context of the third consecutive week of anti-government protests in Iran. However, the White House did not provide any detailed explanation of what kind of transactions are meant by ‘trade with Iran’. It was also not clear which countries would be most affected.
Iran’s main trading partner is China. Tehran also has significant trade relations with Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and India. Analysts say the new tariffs could put additional pressure on these countries.
Trump had previously threatened military intervention in Iran over the killing of protesters. White House spokeswoman Carolyn Levitt said military options, including air strikes, were still being considered.
The recent unrest in Iran has been driven by the country’s currency, the rial, which has been in a state of shock since the sharp depreciation of the currency in late December, sparked protests that have morphed into demands for the overthrow of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Human rights groups say that nearly 500 protesters and at least 48 security personnel have been killed in the protests, although the real toll is believed to be much higher.
The internet shutdown has made it difficult to obtain reliable information about the situation inside Iran, with most international media outlets unable to report directly.
Trump claimed that Iranian officials had recently contacted him to discuss the matter, but warned that the US might have to take “action” before the meeting.
According to analysts, the combination of international sanctions over its nuclear program, corruption and mismanagement, and the imposition of new tariffs could push Iran’s economy into a deeper crisis.