U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a 25 percent tariff on goods from countries that maintain commercial ties with Iran, effective immediately, according to media reports.
Trump posted the measure on Truth Social that the tariff was “effective immediately”, without providing details on what would constitute “doing business” with Iran, the BBC reported.
The announcement did not clarify what activities would qualify as “doing business” with Iran. China is Iran’s largest trading partner, followed by Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and India.
The new tariff comes amid rising tensions over protests in Iran triggered by the sharp decline of the national currency, the rial. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said military options, including air strikes, remain “on the table.”
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Trump also claimed Iranian officials had contacted him for negotiations but suggested that action might be taken before talks occur.
Iran has been struggling under international sanctions related to its nuclear program, compounded by government mismanagement and corruption.
In late December, shopkeepers in Tehran staged protests over another steep fall in the rial’s value against the U.S. dollar.