Trump imposes tariffs on Iran's trade partners

⁠US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday that could impose a 25% tariff on countries that continue to trade with Iran, DW reported.

Trump first threatened the measure last month as tensions between Washington and Tehran continued to rise over Iran’s nuclear program and a bloody crackdown by the Islamic Republic on anti-regime protests. 

The executive order, which takes effect on Saturday, directs the administration to impose new tariffs on countries that still do business with Iran.

It states that tariffs "may be imposed on goods imported into the United States that are products of any country that directly or indirectly purchases, imports, or otherwise acquires any goods or services from Iran."

The order also sets out a mechanism for determining and applying those duties, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio tasked with setting the rate.

The order notes that the tariff could be as high as 25%, echoing the figure Trump first floated in mid-January.

Such measures would hit trade with China — Iran’s largest trading partner and the biggest buyer of Iranian oil — along with Russia, Germany, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

The White House said the tariff was aimed at "holding Iran accountable for its pursuit of nuclear capabilities, support for terrorism, ballistic missile development and regional destabilization that endanger American security, allies, and interests."

Trump has repeatedly threatened Iran's leadership, citing its brutal crackdown on demonstrators during recent mass protests as well as its controversial nuclear program. 

Indirect talks in Oman on Friday ended without an immediate breakthrough, but there are signs that negotiations would continue.