President Donald Trump issued a blunt warning Monday to the international community, declaring that any country continuing to do business with Iran will face steep economic consequences from the United States.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that “effective immediately,” any nation conducting business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will be hit with a 25 percent tariff on all trade with the United States. The president emphasized that the decision was final, making clear there would be no carve-outs or negotiations over the policy.
“This Order is final and conclusive,” Trump wrote, adding a brief message of thanks as he underscored the seriousness of the move.
The announcement comes as Iran is facing widespread demonstrations that are shaking the foundations of the cleric-controlled regime. Protests have spread across the country, with demonstrators openly challenging the authority of the Islamic theocracy. Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior director of the Iran program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said the unrest represents the most serious challenge to the regime’s legitimacy since its founding in 1979.
Taleblu explained that protesters have moved beyond attempts at reform or electoral change and have taken to the streets to demand sweeping political transformation. According to him, the demonstrations are aimed not only at fellow Iranians but also at the international community, signaling that protesters want wholesale change rather than cosmetic adjustments to the existing system.
Iranian authorities have responded by restricting access to the internet for five consecutive days, a move intended to limit communication and organization among protesters. Despite the crackdown, demonstrators have reportedly chanted slogans calling for the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a direct and rare challenge to the country’s top authority.
The regime’s response has been violent. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reports that at least 503 protesters have been killed during the unrest, highlighting the severity of the government’s crackdown.
Against this backdrop, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday that President Trump is prepared to use military force against Iran if circumstances require it. She noted that in June, the United States carried out Operation Midnight Hammer, striking and destroying Iran’s nuclear sites and effectively dismantling the country’s nuclear program for the time being.
Leavitt told reporters that Trump is known for keeping all options on the table, including air strikes, while emphasizing that diplomacy remains the president’s preferred first step. She added that the administration is receiving private messages from Iranian leaders that differ sharply from the regime’s public rhetoric.
The president himself said Sunday that Iranian leaders have reached out to him to negotiate, suggesting they are worn down by sustained pressure from the United States. Trump said a meeting is being arranged but cautioned that events on the ground could force action before any talks take place.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said he and his military team are “very seriously” evaluating their options in light of the violence unfolding in Iran. He criticized Iran’s leadership, saying they rule through force and violence, and signaled that a final decision will come after careful consideration.
“We’ll make a determination,” the president said, leaving no doubt that the situation remains fluid and that the United States is prepared to act decisively.
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