President Donald Trump has unleashed a major economic salvo against Iran, ordering a 25% tariff on any nation doing business with Tehran. The bold move, announced on Truth Social as "final and conclusive," ramps up pressure on Iran's already battered economy following weeks of deadly protests and crackdowns.

The tariffs zero in on major Iranian trade partners including China, India, and the UAE, aiming to choke off Tehran's oil and goods exports without direct military confrontation. Trump framed it as a response to Iran's "deceitful actions," echoing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's own recent rhetoric urging the U.S. to drop its "harmful pressure" tactics. This comes hot on the heels of violent clashes in Iran, where security forces quelled uprisings, crossing what Trump called a critical red line.

International Backlash China labeled the policy "unilateral bullying" and hinted at retaliatory steps, threatening fragile trade truce efforts. India, still smarting from prior U.S. penalties over Russian oil, braces for steeper costs on Iranian chemicals and energy imports. Gulf states like the UAE may comply quicker, but analysts warn of broader fallout: surging oil prices and snarled supply chains for petrochemicals worldwide.

Iran's leadership, facing domestic turmoil and sanctions fatigue, appears to be softening its stance slightly—Khamenei's "deceitful actions" jab at the U.S. carries a plea for de-escalation rather than outright defiance. Yet experts caution Tehran might retaliate through proxies or deeper ties with Russia, as seen in their 2025 trade pact. Global markets reacted swiftly, with Brent crude ticking up amid fears of renewed disruptions.

This tariff gambit revives Trump's "maximum pressure" playbook from his first term, betting economic isolation will force Iran back to the negotiating table on nukes and regional influence. As affected nations scramble for exemptions—like past waivers for India's Chabahar port—the world watches for the next move in this high-stakes standoff.