Trump threatens 25% tariffs on countries that trade with Iran

BarcelonaUS President Donald Trump has asserted that any country maintaining trade relations with Iran will be subject to a 25% tariff on goods traded with the US. This comes as... Washington is considering how to respond to the situation in IranIran, which is experiencing its largest anti-government protests since the 1979 revolution, has been subject to harsh sanctions from Washington for years. Now, the White House is proposing to pressure Iran indirectly through its trading partners. "Effective immediately, any country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a 25% tariff on all trade with the United States of America," Trump wrote early this morning on his Truth Social network. "This order is final and conclusive," Trump said, without providing further details. There is still no official document formalizing the new tariffs, nor is it clear whether they will affect all countries. Iran's main trading partners are China, the United Arab Emirates, and India. In response to Trump's announcement, Beijing said it opposes "any illegal unilateral sanctions and the extraterritorial exercise of jurisdiction," and warned that it will take "all necessary measures" to defend its legitimate interests. "Tariff and trade wars have no winners," a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington stated.

Trump has explained that the US could meet with Iranian representatives and is maintaining contact with the opposition, while increasing pressure on the leaders of the Persian country with threats of military action. While Trump decides how to respond, Tehran asserted that it is keeping communication channels open with Washington. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt explained that airstrikes are one of the "many options" on the table, but stressed that "diplomacy is always the president's first choice."

Pro-regime demonstrations

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of pro-government protesters have taken to the streets of Tehran in a state-organized demonstration to show support for the regime. With the internet down and communications restricted, it is difficult to gauge the true extent of the protests, although some mobile phones were able to make international calls again on Tuesday morning.

According to human rights NGOsAt least 648 people have died during the protests And more than 10,600 were arrested, figures that the Iranian government has not confirmed. The protests, which began due to severe economic hardship, have evolved into open demands for the fall of the Islamic Republic's autocratic regime.