US President Donald Trump has announced a 25% tariff on countries doing business with Iran, intensifying pressure on the Islamic Republic amidst ongoing protests. The move comes as rights groups estimate that the Iranian government’s crackdown on demonstrations has resulted in at least 648 deaths.
According to Trump, the new tariffs will “immediately” affect Iran’s trading partners who also conduct business with the United States. Iran’s main trading partners include China, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Iraq. The US president has been considering various options regarding Iran, which has been experiencing nationwide protests sparked by economic grievances.
The protests, which have grown into one of the biggest challenges to the Iranian government since the 1979 Islamic revolution, have been met with a near-total internet blackout and lethal force. Iranian authorities have blamed foreign interference for the unrest and staged counter-rallies. Rights groups have warned that the severed communications are aimed at masking a rising death toll.
The Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights has confirmed 648 deaths during the protests, including nine minors, and estimates that the actual death toll may be much higher. The internet shutdown has made it difficult to independently verify these reports, with an estimated 10,000 people arrested. The international community has been urged to protect civilian protesters against mass killing by the Islamic Republic.
The White House has stated that Trump remains open to deploying military force against Iran but is currently pursuing diplomacy. Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has hailed recent pro-government rallies as proof that the protest movement is defeated, while parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has vowed that the Iranian military will teach Trump “an unforgettable lesson” if attacked.
Despite this, Trump has claimed that Iran’s leadership has sought to negotiate, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stating that Iran is “not seeking war but is fully prepared for war” and calling for fair negotiations. The European Union has voiced support for the protesters and is considering imposing additional sanctions on Iran over the repression of demonstrations. French President Emmanuel Macron has condemned the state violence targeting Iranian protesters, while Russia has slammed attempts by foreign powers to interfere in Iran.
