US to hit Iran's trading partners with tariffs: Trump

• US President Trump announced a mandatory 25% tariff on all goods and services from any nation "doing business" with Iran, a sweeping order aimed at pressuring Tehran’s key partners. 
• While the White House confirmed that military options such as air strikes remain "on the table" due to reported civilian deaths, it also revealed that a private diplomatic backchannel between special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi remains active.

US President Donald Trump on Monday announced a 25 percent tariff on any country trading with Iran, amid what the US says is Tehran's violent crackdown on a wave of protests across the country.

"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. This Order is final and conclusive," Trump said on Truth Social.

China, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Iraq are Iran’s main trading partners, according to the Trading Economics database.

The announcement comes as Trump considers the possibility of taking military action against Iran in response to what many say is authorities’ crackdown on protests.

Human rights organizations said that the death toll continues to rise.

Trump is considering air strikes on Iran, the White House said Monday, adding that people were being "killed on the streets."

But a channel for diplomacy remains open, with Iran taking a "far different tone" in private discussions with Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, said Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

"One thing President Trump is very good at is always keeping all of his options on the table. And air strikes would be one of the many, many options that are on the table for the commander in chief," Leavitt told reporters outside the West Wing.

Leavitt added that "diplomacy is always the first option for the president."

"What you're hearing publicly from the Iranian regime is quite different from the messages the administration is receiving privately, and I think the president has an interest in exploring those messages," Leavitt added.

Iran's foreign ministry said earlier Monday that a channel of communication was open between its top diplomat Abbas Araghchi and Trump's special envoy, despite a lack of diplomatic relations.

Trump said on Sunday that the US military was considering "very strong options" against Iran, saying it "looks like" Tehran had crossed his previously stated red line of protesters being killed.

He said Iran's leaders had reached out for a meeting but "we may have to act before a meeting."