Trump Considers Tariffs Against Nations Trading with Iran Amid Heightened Tensions

Sun Feb 08 2026 00:58:27 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The U.S. President has signed an executive order threatening tariffs on countries that engage in trade with Iran, escalating economic tensions between the nations.

In an effort to deter trade between other nations and Iran, President Trump has issued an executive order that could impose a 25% tariff on countries conducting any business with Iran. The move follows a series of discussions between U.S. and Iranian officials aimed at addressing nuclear proliferation concerns. While the specific rate of tariffs is not confirmed, the action signals a precarious diplomatic stance as both governments navigate rising tensions.

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order threatening to impose additional tariffs on countries that continue to trade with Iran.

The order, issued on Friday, does not specify the rate that could be imposed but uses 25% as an example. It states that the tariff could apply to goods imported into the US from any nation that 'directly or indirectly purchases, imports, or otherwise acquires any goods or services from Iran'.

Trump has not directly commented on the order but reiterated 'no nuclear weapons' for Iran when speaking from Air Force One on Friday night.

This announcement comes after recent talks between senior US and Iranian officials in Oman, following several weeks of threats from both sides.

Trump initially threatened a 25% tariff on countries doing business with Iran earlier this year in a post to Truth Social, stating, '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.'

At the time, no further details were provided on how the tariffs would be implemented in practice.

The White House has asserted that this latest executive order reaffirms the 'ongoing national emergency with respect to Iran', indicating that the president may modify it if circumstances change. The order holds Iran accountable for its pursuit of nuclear capabilities and other actions that endanger American security, allies, and interests.

In conjunction with the order, the US state department has also announced sanctions against 15 entities that have traded in Iranian crude oil and petroleum products.

Despite previous sanctions, Iran continues to engage in trade, with China being its largest export partner, having purchased over $14 billion worth of goods from Iran last year. Iran's economic outlook is grim, with food inflation soaring past 70% as it grapples with ongoing sanctions pressures.

Diplomatic discussions are anticipated to continue, with opportunities for further engagement between the nations in the coming weeks.