United States President Donald Trump has declared a new 25 percent tariff on any country that continues to do business with Iran, escalating economic pressure on the Middle East nation.
Gatekeepers News reports that Trump announced the decision on Monday via his Truth Social platform, stating that the tariff takes effect immediately and leaves no room for negotiation.
He wrote, “Any country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a tariff of 25 percent on any and all business being done with the United States of America. This order is final and conclusive”.
The US president did not explain how Washington would determine the level of trade that qualifies as doing business with Iran, nor did he outline enforcement mechanisms.
The announcement comes amid growing unrest in Iran, where protests broke out in late December following a sharp fall in the value of the national currency, the rial.
Demonstrations that began with shopkeepers in Tehran later spread to several cities, driven by complaints over rising living costs, unemployment, and economic hardship.,
Human rights organisations report that the protests have been met with a heavy security crackdown. Iran Human Rights, a Norway-based group, said at least 648 protesters have been killed since the unrest began, with thousands more injured.
