US President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced a 25% tariff on countries doing business with Iran, stepping up pressure on Tehran over its violent crackdown on nationwide protests.Trump said the tariffs would take effect immediately. In a social media post, he wrote, “Effective immediately, any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America.”
“This Order is final and conclusive,” he added.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt had earlier said, “One thing President Trump is very good at is always keeping all of his options on the table,” adding, “airstrikes would be one of the many, many options that are on the table for the commander-in-chief. Diplomacy is always the first option for the president.”The US president has repeatedly warned Iran over its treatment of protesters and has threatened military action if the violence continues. On Monday, Trump said Washington was closely monitoring the situation and considering possible military retaliation. When asked how the United States would respond if Iran were to strike American military bases, he said, “we will hit them at levels that they’ve never been hit before.”Also read: ‘Seize and hold the cities’; 5 takeaways from Reza Pahlavi’s declaration amid Iran protestsSpeaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said Iran appeared to be nearing a red line he had set, adding, “they’re starting to, it looks like.” Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused the United States and Israel of attempting to destabilise Iran by fomenting unrest. While pledging that the government would hear public grievances, he warned against violent protesters and urged Iranians to stay away from “rioters and terrorists.”The decision comes as unrest continues across Iran, where activists say security forces have used deadly force against antigovernment demonstrators. At least 648 people have been killed since the protests began, with the toll expected to rise. More than 10,600 people have been detained over the past two weeks, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency.
