Iran’s “biggest anti-government protests in years” have triggered the economic wrath of President Donald Trump. Citing the regime’s brutal response to the demonstrations, Trump imposed a 25% tariff on countries doing business with Iran. The move is designed to support the protesters by bankrupting the government. Trump’s order targets the regime’s trading partners, forcing them to choose between Iran and the U.S.
The protests have shaken the foundations of the Islamic Republic. Over 600 people have died, and thousands are in prison. The regime has cut off the internet to suppress the uprising. Trump has claimed contact with the opposition, giving them political cover. The tariffs are the economic weapon in this fight.
China has opposed the tariffs, calling them “coercion.” Beijing is trying to protect its trade interests, but the U.S. pressure is intense. The 25% tariff is a significant cost. It forces a strategic rethink in capitals around the world.
The White House is also keeping military options open. Airstrikes are a possibility. The administration points to the regime’s private diplomatic outreach as a sign of weakness. Trump is pushing hard to force a collapse.
The Supreme Court is reviewing the tariff authority, but the political message is clear. Trump is using the economy to intervene in a foreign crisis. The protests in Iran have become a global issue, thanks to Trump’s economic wrath.
