US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that could impose tariffs on countries continuing trade with Iran, a move reflecting the ongoing strain between Washington and Tehran.
The order, issued on Friday, does not specify the exact tariff rate, but cites 25% as an example, applying to goods imported into the US from any nation that "directly or indirectly purchases, imports, or otherwise acquires any goods or services from Iran".
Although Trump has not commented directly on the order, he reiterated his stance on Iran’s nuclear program while speaking from Air Force One, saying the country must have "no nuclear weapons".
The executive order follows ongoing talks in Oman between senior US and Iranian officials, the first since the US bombed Iran’s nuclear facilities last June. The Iranian delegation, led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, met US representatives, including special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Speaking to reporters onboard Air Force One, Trump described the discussions as "very good" and added that Iran "looks like it wants to make a deal very badly". He warned, "If they don't make a deal, the consequences are very steep," and confirmed that further talks are planned for early next week.
Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, who facilitated the discussions, said the talks had been "useful to clarify both Iranian and American thinking and identify areas for possible progress". Araghchi, posting on X, described the talks as "a good start" and said a "positive atmosphere prevailed", adding that negotiators had returned to their capitals for consultations.
The White House said the executive order reinforces the "ongoing national emergency with respect to Iran" and noted that the president may adjust the order if circumstances change.
It emphasized that the US is holding Iran accountable for its nuclear ambitions, support for terrorism, ballistic missile development, and actions that destabilize the region, threatening American security, allies, and interests.
Tensions between the two nations have escalated in recent weeks. Trump recently warned that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei should be "very worried" and has indicated he is prepared to take military action if Iran does not agree to limits on its nuclear program. Iran maintains that its nuclear efforts are peaceful and denies allegations of weapon development.
The US has also strengthened its military presence in the Middle East, describing it as a "massive armada" in response to Iran’s violent suppression of nationwide anti-government protests last month.
Human rights organizations report that thousands of people may have been killed in the crackdown, though the full scale of the violence remains difficult to verify due to internet restrictions imposed by the Iranian government since 8 January.
