US President Donald Trump on Monday said he had imposed a 25% tariff on goods from countries with commercial ties to Iran, a move that could put pressure on Tehran as anti-government protests enter a third week.
Trump stated on social media that the tariff was effective immediately, without offering details of what constituted doing business with Iran.
China is Iran's largest trading partner, followed by Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and India.
The new tariff comes after Trump threatened to intervene militarily if Tehran killed protesters. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said military options, including air strikes, were still on the table.
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 wrote on Truth Social on Monday.
This Order is final and conclusive, he added.
The White House did not share additional information about the tariffs, including which countries' imports would be hit hardest.
Anger over the plummeting value of the Iranian currency, the rial, sparked protests in late December, which have grown into a crisis for Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The US-based Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA) reports nearly 500 protesters and 48 security personnel have died in Iran, with thousands more reportedly arrested.
However, an internet blackout since Thursday evening has made it difficult to obtain and verify information. The BBC and most other international news organizations are unable to report from inside Iran.
Trump has threatened to intervene, stating Iranian officials had called him to negotiate but hinted at potential action before a meeting.
International sanctions over Iran's nuclear program have severely impacted the economy, compounded by government mismanagement and corruption.
On December 28, shopkeepers across Tehran protested the dramatic fall in the rial's value against the US dollar.
Iran's currency has hit a record low over the past year with inflation exceeding 40%, leading to a sharp rise in prices for necessities like cooking oil and meat.
