Former US President Donald Trump has declared an immediate 25% tariff on any country conducting business with Iran, a move directly linked to the escalating death toll from ongoing anti-government protests within the Islamic Republic.
New Tariffs Target Key Iranian Partners
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated that the punitive measure, effective immediately, would apply to all nations "doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran." The tariff will be imposed on any and all business conducted with the United States by these countries.
This policy is expected to significantly impact several major economies that maintain trade relations with Tehran. Key trading partners include Brazil, China, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Russia.
Mounting Death Toll and Detentions in Iran
The announcement coincides with a grim new assessment of the violence inside Iran. According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), at least 646 people have been killed during nationwide protests as of Tuesday, 13 January 2026.
The agency warned that this number is expected to rise further. It also estimates that more than 10,600 individuals have been detained by authorities since the demonstrations began.
Iranian officials have not released an official casualty figure. Instead, the government has blamed the bloodshed on US interference and what it labels Israeli and US-backed terrorists. Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, claimed the protests were "under total control" and stated the country was "ready for war but also dialogue."
Military Action Remains "On the Table"
Trump has repeatedly threatened military intervention to protect demonstrators in Iran. On Monday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated that the President was "unafraid to use military options" and confirmed that airstrikes remain "one of the many, many options that are on the table."
However, Leavitt stressed that "diplomacy is always the first option." Trump himself said on Sunday that his administration was engaged in talks to arrange a meeting with Tehran, claiming "Iran wants to negotiate."
The protests, which erupted on 28 December initially over the collapse of the Iranian rial currency, have since evolved into a direct challenge to the rule of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In response, state television aired footage of pro-government rallies on Monday, where crowds chanted "Death to America!" and "Death to Israel!".
The situation is compounded by a severe communications blackout within Iran, with the internet down and phone lines cut off, severely restricting information flow.
