U.S. President Donald Trump declared he would impose a 25% U.S. tariff on every country that conducts a transaction with Iran.
On the 12th (local time), President Trump said on his social media, Truth Social, "Any country that conducts a transaction with Iran will be subject to a 25% tariff on every transaction with the United States," adding, "This takes effect immediately."
This effectively signals secondary sanctions on countries that conduct a transaction with Iran and is seen as a move to pressure the Iranian regime as large-scale anti-government protests continue.
It also appears partly aimed at China, the largest importer of Iranian oil.
Earlier, after the United States extradited President Nicolás Maduro on the 3rd and seized control over Venezuelan crude, China faced the risk of losing major energy supply sources such as Venezuela and Iran.
The White House said that regarding the situation in Iran, it is prioritizing a diplomatic solution but that military action remains among the options.
The Iranian government proposed to the U.S. side that nuclear talks resume, and the White House is reviewing whether to accept.