Trump Announces 25% Tariff on Countries Doing Business with Iran, Signals Tougher US Stance

Washington, Jan 2026 : US President Donald Trump on Monday announced a sweeping trade measure targeting countries that continue commercial engagements with Iran, declaring that such nations will face an additional 25 per cent tariff on all trade with the United States. The move signals a sharper economic and diplomatic posture toward Tehran and its international partners, amid rising tensions and internal unrest in Iran.

In a statement posted on social media, President Trump said the tariff would take effect immediately. “Effective immediately, any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25 per cent on any and all business being done with the United States of America,” he wrote. Emphasising the firmness of the decision, Trump added, “This Order is final and conclusive. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

While the announcement did not specify implementation details or sector-specific impacts, the declaration has sparked concerns among countries maintaining trade ties with Iran. For India, the development could be particularly significant, as it may result in an effective tariff burden of up to 75 per cent on Indian exports to the United States, potentially dealing a major blow to Indian exporters and trade-dependent industries.

Earlier in the day, the White House indicated that the Trump administration continues to pursue diplomatic engagement with Iran, even as it keeps military options firmly on the table. The remarks came against the backdrop of ongoing protests within Iran and reports of private communications from Iranian officials that suggest a tone different from the regime’s public stance.

White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt told reporters that President Trump remains focused on preventing further violence while carefully evaluating back-channel messages from Tehran. “He certainly doesn’t want to see people being killed in the streets of Tehran, and unfortunately, that’s something we’re seeing right now,” Leavitt said during an informal interaction with journalists at the White House.

When questioned about whether the administration continues to seek the complete denuclearisation of Iran, Leavitt refrained from outlining specific conditions but stressed the President’s strategic flexibility. She underlined that Trump consistently keeps all possible responses under consideration.

“One thing President Trump is very good at is always keeping all of his options on the table, and airstrikes would be one of the many, many options that are on the table for the Commander in Chief,” she said, indicating that military action has not been ruled out.

At the same time, Leavitt reiterated that diplomacy remains the administration’s preferred path. “Diplomacy is always the first option for the President,” she said, adding that the administration has noticed a contrast between Iran’s public rhetoric and the messages being conveyed privately.

“What you’re hearing publicly from the Iranian regime is quite different from the messages the administration is receiving privately, and I think the President has an interest in exploring those messages,” she noted.

Leavitt also highlighted the continued involvement of Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in diplomatic efforts related to Iran. “I understand that Steve Witkoff will continue to be a very important player in diplomacy with respect to Iran,” she said.

At the same time, she emphasised that Tehran is fully aware of President Trump’s past actions and readiness to act decisively when required. “However, with that said, the President has shown he’s unafraid to use military options if and when he deems necessary, and nobody knows that better than Iranians,” Leavitt remarked.

The announcement comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions, renewed scrutiny of US policy toward Iran, and growing uncertainty over how the new tariff regime could reshape global trade dynamics and diplomatic alignments in the coming months.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)