Trump threatens new tariffs on countries trading with Iran amid Oman talks

New Delhi, Feb 7: US President Donald Trump has said he could impose additional tariffs on countries that continue to trade with Iran, under an executive order signed on Friday. While the order does not specify an exact tariff rate, it cites 25% as an example and says the measure would apply to goods imported into the United States from any country that “directly or indirectly purchases, imports, or otherwise acquires any goods or services from Iran”. Trump has not commented directly on the order, but speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday night, he reiterated that Iran must have “no nuclear weapons”.

The move comes amid indirect talks between senior US and Iranian officials in Oman, following weeks of heightened tensions and threats from both sides. Earlier this year, Trump had warned of a 25% tariff on countries doing business with Iran. In a post on Truth Social on January 12, he said: “Effective immediately, 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.”

The White House said the new executive order reaffirmed the “ongoing national emergency with respect to Iran” and noted that the president could modify the measure if circumstances change. It said the action was aimed at holding Iran accountable for its pursuit of nuclear capabilities, support for terrorism, ballistic missile development and activities that destabilise the region.

The talks in Oman, which began on Friday, are the first involving US and Iranian officials since last June, when the US carried out strikes on Iran’s three main nuclear facilities. The Iranian delegation was led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, while the US side included special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

Trump said the talks were “very good” and claimed Iran “wants to make a deal very badly”, warning that the consequences would be “very steep” if no agreement was reached. He said another meeting was planned for early next week. Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, who mediated the discussions, said the talks were useful in clarifying positions and identifying areas for possible progress. Araghchi described the discussions as “a good start”, saying a positive atmosphere prevailed, and added that both sides had returned to their capitals for consultations.

Rising tensions between Washington and Tehran have fuelled fears of a wider conflict. Trump has said he would be prepared to strike Iran if it refuses to reach a deal on its nuclear programme. Iran maintains that its nuclear activities are entirely peaceful and denies seeking nuclear weapons.

The US has also increased its military presence in the region in recent weeks, with Trump referring to a “massive armada”, as international concern grows over Iran’s crackdown on nationwide anti-government protests Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the talks had got off to “a good start”, though no clear path forward was announced, reports the Al Jazeera.