President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will impose sweeping 25 percent tariffs on most goods imported from countries that continue doing business with Iran, escalating economic pressure on Tehran as anti-regime protests intensify across the country.
The new policy targets Iran’s primary trading partners, including China, India, Turkey, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates, and applies to any goods those countries export to the United States.
The White House acknowledged the move could raise costs for some American businesses and consumers but framed the action as necessary to hold Iran and its enablers accountable.
“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,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
“This Order is final and conclusive.”
The announcement comes as Iran faces its most sustained unrest in years.
Protests erupted in late December amid spiraling inflation, a collapsing currency, and mounting economic frustration.
What began as demonstrations over living costs quickly evolved into nationwide calls for political change and the end of the current regime led by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Demonstrations have spread to all 31 provinces, with clashes reported in Tehran and in rural regions traditionally aligned with the government.
Protesters have openly chanted anti-regime slogans, prompting a harsh response from Iranian security forces.
Human rights groups say the crackdown has been brutal.
The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported that at least 503 protesters have been killed, along with 69 members of Iran’s security forces, and more than 10,600 people arrested since the unrest began.
Iranian state media has acknowledged that more than 100 officers have died, though the government has not released comprehensive casualty figures.
Authorities have also imposed a nationwide internet blackout and disrupted mobile service, limiting independent reporting and coordination among demonstrators.
Khamenei has publicly called for protesters to be “put in their place,” signaling further escalation.
The Iranian Revolution is easily the biggest story in the world right now, even if the legacy media’s reporting on it remains tepid / regime-friendly.
The only way to have a clearer picture of what’s actually happening in Iran is to be on X.
Here is what my X feed is currently… pic.twitter.com/CTTxs3qvJB
— Imtiaz Mahmood (@ImtiazMadmood) January 12, 2026
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said that military options remain under review if the violence continues.
“The military is looking at it, and we’re looking at some very strong options,” the president said.
“We’ll make a determination.”
Trump has previously warned Tehran that continued attacks on protesters would prompt a severe U.S. response.
If Iran retaliates against American actions, he said, the consequences would be unprecedented.
At the same time, the president reiterated his support for the Iranian people, posting that Iran may be “looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before,” and that the United States stands ready to help.
Despite the escalating pressure, Trump has left open the possibility of diplomacy, particularly regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
While much of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure was destroyed in U.S. strikes last June, administration officials have warned the program could eventually be rebuilt.
Iranian leaders have responded with defiance.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is “prepared for war” while also claiming the regime remains open to negotiations.
For now, the administration’s strategy is clear: isolate Iran economically, punish nations that prop up the regime, and increase pressure as unrest inside the country continues to grow.
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