US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order warning of additional tariffs on countries that continue doing business with Iran, escalating pressure amid renewed diplomatic talks over Tehran’s nuclear programme.
The order, issued on Friday, does not fix a specific tariff rate but cites 25 percent as an example. It states that such duties could be imposed on goods imported into the United States from any country that “directly or indirectly purchases, imports, or otherwise acquires” goods or services from Iran.
Although Trump did not directly comment on the executive order, he reiterated his long-held position that Iran must not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One late Friday.
The move came shortly after talks between senior US and Iranian officials in Oman, the first such engagement in months, following weeks of sharp rhetoric from both sides. Trump had earlier warned of a 25 percent tariff on countries trading with Iran in a January post on his Truth Social platform, though details were not provided at the time.
The White House said the new order reaffirmed the “ongoing national emergency with respect to Iran” and noted that the president could modify the measures if circumstances change. It said the administration was holding Iran accountable for pursuing nuclear capabilities, supporting terrorism, developing ballistic missiles and destabilising the region.
Separately, the US State Department announced sanctions on 15 entities accused of trading in Iranian-origin crude oil, petroleum and petrochemical products.
Iran, already under sweeping US and Western sanctions, did not immediately respond. Tehran maintains that its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful and denies accusations that it is seeking nuclear weapons.
Under a 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers, Iran was restricted from enriching uranium beyond 3.67 percent and barred from enrichment at the Fordo facility for 15 years. Trump withdrew from the deal in 2018, calling it insufficient, and reimposed sanctions that severely damaged Iran’s economy, including so-called secondary sanctions targeting countries trading with Tehran.
Iran later began breaching key limits of the agreement, particularly on uranium enrichment. Last year, the United Nations reimposed economic and military sanctions after European powers accused Iran of continued nuclear escalation and poor cooperation.
Despite sanctions, more than 100 countries still trade with Iran. China remains its largest export partner, importing more than $14 billion worth of Iranian goods in the year to October 2025, followed by Iraq, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey.
The Oman talks were led by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US special envoy Steve Witkoff, with Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner also part of the US side. Trump described the discussions as “very good” and said Iran appeared eager to reach a deal, warning of “very steep” consequences if talks fail. Another round of talks is expected early next week.
Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said the discussions helped clarify positions and identify possible areas of progress, while Araghchi called them “a good start” and said a positive atmosphere prevailed.
Rising tensions have fuelled fears of a wider conflict, with Trump repeatedly warning that military action remains an option if Iran refuses to agree on its nuclear programme. Iran continues to reject such accusations, insisting its activities are for peaceful purposes only.
With inputs from BBC