US President Donald Trump has announced a 25 percent tariff on any country doing business with Iran.
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Monday, Trump said the tariff was “effective immediately” and described the decision as “final and conclusive”.
“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,” he wrote.
Trump did not provide further details on how the measure would be enforced or what level of commercial ties would qualify as “doing business” with Iran.
The announcement comes amid widespread anti-government protests in Iran, which began on December 28, after shopkeepers in Tehran protested another sharp decline in the value of the rial against the US dollar.
The demonstrations later spread to other cities, with protesters voicing broader grievances over economic hardship and political conditions.
According to the US-based Iranian Human Rights Activists News Agency, protests have taken place in at least 186 cities and towns across all of Iran’s provinces.
Human rights groups say hundreds of protesters have been killed and thousands injured in the ensuing crackdown by security forces.
Iran Human Rights, a Norway-based organisation, said at least 648 protesters have been killed since the demonstrations began, with thousands more injured.
“They fired directly into lines of protesters, and people fell where they stood,” an eyewitness told BBC.
A digital blackout imposed by Iranian authorities has cut millions off from internet access, making independent verification of events difficult.
Iran’s economy has been under strain due to government mismanagement, corruption, and longstanding US sanctions linked to its nuclear programme.
The rial has fallen to record lows over the past year, while inflation has surged, pushing the prices of basic goods such as food sharply higher.
Food accounts for about one-third of Iran’s imports, and additional trade restrictions could worsen shortages and further raise costs for ordinary citizens.
Trump had earlier warned of possible US intervention, saying Washington was considering “very strong options” in response to the violence.
He has also said the US is prepared to come to the “rescue” of Iranian protesters if the government continues to use force against them.
