On Monday, January 12, US President Donald Trump proposed a broad new pressure measure on Iran: a 25% levy on any nation that continues to trade with Tehran while doing business with the US. Notably, New Delhi and Tehran have a long history of commercial and strategic connections, including the Chabahar Port project and energy imports. The levies coincide with warnings from human rights organizations that Iran’s suppression of large-scale rallies has become more deadly, killing at least 648 people.
When are the tariffs going to be put into effect? What impact will it have on India?
Trump stated in a statement on his Truth Social platform that the tariff will go into effect “immediately” and called the decision “final and conclusive,” without mentioning any particular nations. Iran’s primary trading partners are China, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Iraq, according to statistics from Trading Economics. In recent years, India has been among Tehran’s top five trading partners. India’s commerce with Iran was $1.68 billion in 2024–2025, with $1.24 billion in exports and $440 million in imports, according to the Indian Embassy in Tehran.
Iran has been experiencing widespread protests for more than two weeks at the time of the tariff announcement. Since the 1979 revolution that overthrew the Shah, protests about economic hardship have developed into one of the Islamic Republic’s most significant concerns. Despite an almost complete internet outage and the deployment of live fire by security personnel, protests have persisted.
The death toll has reached 648.
Iran Human Rights, a Norwegian organization, reported that at least 648 deaths, including nine children, were connected to the crackdown. The group cautioned that “according to some estimates, more than 6,000” could be the actual death toll. Additionally, it stated that the communications shutdown has made it “extremely difficult to independently verify these reports” and that approximately 10,000 people may have been jailed.
The director of the organization, Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, emphasized that the “international community has a duty to protect civilian protesters against mass killing by the Islamic republic.”
Foreign meddling?
Meanwhile, Iranian officials have attempted to attribute the instigation of unrest to foreign powers. The administration organized large-scale protests nationwide on Monday. The protest movement had been defeated, according to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who also cautioned the US against interfering. “These massive rallies, full of determination, have thwarted the plan of foreign enemies that were supposed to be carried out by domestic mercenaries,” he told state television.
FAQs – 25% U.S. Tariff on Iran Trade Partners & Iran Protests
1. What did President Trump announce regarding Iran trade?
On January 12, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump proposed a 25% tariff on any country that continues trading with Iran while doing business with the United States. This is part of a broader pressure measure against Tehran.
2. When will the tariffs go into effect?
According to Trump’s statement on Truth Social, the tariffs are set to take effect immediately. He described the decision as “final and conclusive,” without specifying any particular countries.
3. Which countries are most likely affected by the tariffs?
Iran’s main trading partners include China, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, and India. India has historically been among Tehran’s top five trade partners.
4. How much trade does India have with Iran?
India’s trade with Iran in 2024–2025 was valued at $1.68 billion, consisting of $1.24 billion in exports and $440 million in imports. Major projects like the Chabahar Port and energy imports highlight the strategic ties between the two nations.
5. What is the current situation in Iran regarding protests?
Iran has been experiencing widespread protests for over two weeks due to economic hardship and political unrest. Security forces have used live fire, and there has been a near-total internet shutdown, yet demonstrations have continued.
6. How many people have died in the protests?
According to Iran Human Rights, at least 648 people, including nine children, have been killed. The organization estimates that the actual death toll could exceed 6,000, and around 10,000 people may have been detained.
7. What has been the response of the Iranian leadership?
Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, have blamed “foreign powers” for instigating unrest. Khamenei claimed that large-scale protests had been organized nationwide to counter foreign interference and called on the U.S. to stay out of Iran’s domestic matters.
8. What is the international reaction?
Human rights organizations emphasize that the international community has a duty to protect civilians against mass killings. The communications shutdown has made independent verification of events extremely difficult.
9. Why is this tariff significant for India?
India’s strategic and commercial ties with Iran, particularly in energy and port infrastructure, could be affected by the 25% U.S. tariff, potentially increasing costs or complicating trade if India continues its dealings with Tehran while engaging in U.S. business.
10. Where can I follow updates on the Iran protests and trade situation?
Updates can be tracked via human rights organizations, major international news outlets, and official government statements from the U.S., Iran, and India.
