【Washington D】New Wave of Anti-Iran Sanctions; Trump Targets Iran’s Trading Partners

Pars Today: Despite new talks between Tehran and Washington, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday, February 6, under his dual policy towards Iran. Under this order, an additional 25 percent duty will be levied on countries trading with Iran, on top of existing tariffs.

This order will take effect from February 7, 2026, under which the US will impose secondary tariffs on Iran’s trading partner countries. This means that while heavy sanctions have already kept the Iranian public under pressure, whom Trump claims to support, any country that continues to trade with Iran will now face this new US tariff penalty.

The White House also confirmed Trump’s signing of this order, stating that based on it, the US can impose additional tariffs on goods imported from countries that directly or indirectly purchase goods or services from Iran.

This order, consisting of nine different sections, was issued citing the powers of the President under the US Constitution and the “International Emergency Economic Powers Act.” After the order takes effect, an additional customs duty rate (for example, 25 percent) will be applied to all goods imported onto US soil from countries that purchase Iranian goods or services. The implementation process is designed such that first the Commerce Department will identify which countries directly or indirectly make purchases from Iran. After confirmation, the State Department, in collaboration with Treasury, Commerce, Homeland Security, and the US Trade Representative’s office, will determine the precise scope and extent of the tariffs and present the final recommendation for implementation to Trump. If any country takes retaliatory action against the US in response to these tariffs, the US President will have the authority to further increase tariffs or impose new punitive measures.

In another anti-Iran action, the US State Department imposed new oil sanctions on 17 individuals and entities and 14 ships, coinciding with new talks between Tehran and Washington. Washington reiterated its claims against Iran, stating it is imposing sanctions on several institutions, individuals, and ships to block the income of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Donald Trump’s signing of a new executive order imposing punitive tariffs (such as a 25 percent rate) on countries trading with Iran is a multi-dimensional step within the framework of US strategic objectives. At the strategic level, its declared purpose is to complete Iran’s economic blockade through secondary sanctions and bring Iran’s oil income to zero. Citing a continuous “national emergency” situation, the White House described this action as necessary to protect US national security and interests from the “extraordinary threat” posed by Iran through nuclear, missile programs, and support for regional proxy groups. The key point is that the pressure is focused not only directly on Iran but also on the network of its trading partners to unprecedentedly increase the cost of transactions with Tehran.

At the tactical level, the timing of signing this order, done immediately after the conclusion of a new round of Iran-US talks in Muscat, is significant. This timing is being interpreted as leverage for Washington to increase pressure and gain a stronger bargaining position and sends a clear message of continuing the maximum pressure policy regardless of the talks. Trump personally emphasized after the talks that there would be “very serious consequences” for Iran if it does not reach an agreement.

From an implementation perspective, this order establishes a complex mechanism. First, the US Commerce Department must identify countries purchasing from Iran. Then, in collaboration with institutions like the State Department and Treasury, it will determine the precise scope and extent of the tariffs and present a recommendation to the President. This process gives the US flexibility to gradually increase pressure based on countries’ responses. Also, the order contains a clause that gives the President the authority to “modify” the order in exchange for changes in circumstances, retaliatory actions by countries, or “significant steps” taken by Iran or its allies to align with Washington. This clause serves as an incentive for both punishment and acceptance of Washington’s demands.