US imposes 25% tariff on countries doing business with Iran as Trump is said to lean toward military strikes against regime

In the first tangible steps against the Iranian regime since massive protests began over two weeks ago, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a tariff on countries doing business with the regime, while the U.S. apparently blocked access to one of the regime’s TV stations. 

“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,” Trump posted on Truth Social.  

While noting that this step was “final and conclusive,” Trump didn’t add any more details about the order. The Iranian regime’s top trading partner is China, which buys large quantities of oil. Other major trade partners include Turkey, India, Pakistan, Armenia and Russia. 

China, which was embroiled in a trade war with the U.S. last year, quickly condemned the move, as its embassy said it is opposed to “any illicit unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction” while vowing to take “all necessary measures" to protect its interests. 

"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. This Order is final and conclusive...." - PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP pic.twitter.com/UQ1ylPezs9

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 12, 2026

The Iranian outlet Fars News, which is affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards, also claimed Monday that the U.S. had blocked the online domain of another IRGC-connected outlet, Tasnim News. The Jerusalem Post confirmed that accessing the site was not possible on Monday evening. 

Protests and the regime’s brutal countermeasures continued on Monday, as the death toll from the crackdown is still unclear due to the internet shutdown imposed by the regime. 

The U.S.’s online embassy in Iran, meanwhile, called on American citizens still in the country to “leave now,” urging them to plan for an escape “that does not rely on US government help,” for example via Armenia or Turkey.

American citizens are “at significant risk of questioning, arrest, and detention in Iran” and “showing a US passport or demonstrating connections to the United States can be reason enough for Iranian authorities to detain someone,” the embassy warned. 

Numerous reports in recent days indicated that the Trump administration is discussing potential military strikes against Iran, after the regime began killing protesters at a massive scale despite warnings by Trump not to do so. 

Nevertheless, the president said Monday that “Iran wants to negotiate.” However, he also added, “We may need to act before a meeting with them… we are in the process of coordinating a meeting.” 

The regime reportedly offered to renew negotiations over a nuclear deal with the U.S. Senior figures in the administration, most prominently among them Vice President JD Vance, are advocating for attempting diplomacy before launching military strikes, officials told the Wall Street Journal. 

The report added that Trump is personally leaning toward ordering the strikes. 

A spokesman for the Vice President said Monday that he and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, “are presenting a suite of options to the president, ranging from a diplomatic approach to military actions.”  

A final decision could be made by the president in a meeting with senior aides scheduled for Tuesday. Options reportedly include kinetic strikes on military targets, cyberattacks, propaganda operations like boosting anti-regime accounts online, or new and harsher sanctions. 

Officials also told the WSJ that Trump could decide to strike and then seek talks with the regime, if it survives. 

Meanwhile, exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi, whose restoration has become a central rallying cry of the protests, urged against renewing negotiations with the regime on Monday. 

Pahlavi wrote on 𝕏 that “negotiating with this criminal regime who is still threatening America and the President will not bring peace.” 

"But immediate action to support these brave protesters will save thousands of lives and bring lasting peace to the region. That will be President Trump’s legacy,” he added. 

“President Trump is not Obama. His words of support for the protesters in Iran show that. Now is the time to act,” urged Pahlavi.