President Donald Trump signed an executive order authorizing tariffs of up to 25% on imports from countries that continue to purchase goods or services from Iran. The order, effective Saturday, directs the administration to impose duties on products “of any country that directly or indirectly purchases, imports, or otherwise acquires any goods or services from Iran,” sets a mechanism for determining and applying those duties, and names U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio as responsible for setting the tariff rate.
The move, first threatened amid heightened tensions over Iran’s nuclear program and a harsh crackdown on domestic protests, is designed to pressure nations that trade with Tehran. Major trading partners likely to be affected include China — Iran’s largest commercial partner and top oil buyer — as well as Russia, Germany, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. The White House framed the tariffs as a tool to hold Iran accountable for its nuclear activities, support for terrorism, ballistic missile development and regional destabilization.
Separately, indirect talks between U.S. and Iranian representatives in Muscat, Oman, concluded Friday without an immediate breakthrough but with both sides indicating a willingness to continue negotiations. Mediated by Oman and called “a good start” by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, the Muscat discussions were the first since U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June. President Trump described the talks as “very good,” said another meeting was planned for early next week, and reiterated that Iran must not obtain nuclear weapons.
U.S. Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper attended the Muscat discussions, underscoring the military pressure on Iran as U.S. warships, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, began patrols off the Iranian coast.
Inside Iran, authorities have imposed an internet blackout amid a broad crackdown on protests that began in December. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported confirming 6,505 protesters killed, along with 214 security personnel and 61 bystanders. Prior to the June attacks, Iran had enriched uranium to 60% purity — a short technical step from weapons-grade material, the International Atomic Energy Agency noted — and has refused IAEA requests to inspect bombed sites. Tehran had already limited inspections following the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018.