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US targets trade partners of Iran with new tariffs
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday authorizing additional tariffs on countries that maintain trade ties with Iran. The measure, which cites a 25% rate as an example, applies to goods imported into the United States from any nation that purchases Iranian products or services.
Order details and White House justification
The order does not specify exact tariff rates but reinforces the existing national emergency declared over Iran's activities. The White House stated the move aims to hold Iran accountable for its nuclear ambitions, support for terrorism, ballistic missile development, and regional destabilization.
Trump has previously threatened similar measures, including a January 12 post on Truth Social warning of a 25% tariff on any country conducting business with Iran. No operational details were provided at the time.
Parallel sanctions and Iran's response
On the same day, the US State Department announced sanctions on 15 entities involved in trading Iranian crude oil, petroleum, or petrochemical products. Iran, already under extensive US and Western sanctions, has not yet responded to either announcement.
Tehran maintains its nuclear program is peaceful and denies allegations of pursuing weapons development. Under the 2015 nuclear accord, Iran agreed to limit uranium enrichment to 3.67% purity and refrain from enrichment at its Fordo facility for 15 years. Trump withdrew the US from the deal in 2018, reinstating sanctions that severely impacted Iran's economy.
Ongoing US-Iran talks in Oman
Direct negotiations between US and Iranian officials resumed in Oman on Friday, marking the first high-level talks since last June. The US delegation included special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, while Iran was represented by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Trump described the discussions as "very good" and suggested Iran was eager to reach an agreement. "If they don't make a deal, the consequences are very steep," he told reporters aboard Air Force One, indicating another meeting would occur early next week.
"The talks were useful to clarify both Iranian and American thinking and identify areas for possible progress."
Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi
Araghchi called the discussions "a good start" in a statement on X, noting a "positive atmosphere" before negotiators returned to their capitals for consultations.
Regional tensions and military buildup
Rising hostilities have fueled concerns of a broader conflict. Trump warned Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to be "very worried" and stated he was prepared to take military action if Iran rejected a nuclear deal.
The US has expanded its military presence in the region, deploying what Trump termed a "massive armada" in response to Iran's crackdown on anti-government protests last month. Human rights groups report thousands killed, though the full extent remains unclear due to government-imposed internet restrictions since January 8.
Global trade with Iran persists despite sanctions
Over 100 countries continue to trade with Iran, with China as its largest export partner. Between October 2024 and October 2025, Beijing imported $14 billion worth of Iranian goods, followed by Iraq ($10.5 billion). Turkey also saw a surge in imports from Iran, rising from $4.7 billion in 2024 to $7.3 billion last year.
