By SUNTV Global Channel | January 13, 2026
President Donald Trump has announced a sweeping new trade measure targeting countries that maintain commercial ties with Iran, signaling a fresh escalation in Washington’s economic pressure on the Islamic Republic.
In a statement posted Monday night on his Truth Social platform, Trump declared that any country engaging in business with Iran would be hit with a 25 percent tariff on all trade conducted with the United States.
“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. “This order is final and conclusive.”
The announcement, which quickly drew massive attention online, offered no specific details on how the policy would be enforced, which nations would be affected, or the legal framework under which the tariff would operate.
Trump has consistently pursued a hardline stance against Iran. During his previous administration, he withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal in 2018 and imposed far-reaching economic sanctions aimed at crippling Tehran’s economy.
Analysts say the newly proposed tariff represents a more aggressive approach, as it could directly impact U.S. allies and major global economies that still conduct trade with Iran, potentially triggering diplomatic and trade tensions.
Trade experts have also warned that a blanket tariff on third-party countries could face legal hurdles, particularly under World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and existing international trade agreements.
As of the time of filing this report, the White House and the U.S. Treasury Department have not issued official statements clarifying whether the announcement represents a formal government policy or a political declaration. Iranian authorities are yet to publicly respond.
The development adds a new layer of uncertainty to global trade dynamics and U.S.–Iran relations.
— SUNTV Global Channel
