Iran protests latest: Trump considers next steps after ordering sweeping sanctions on Tehran’s trade partners

Donald Trump says any country doing business with Iran will face 25 per cent US tariffs “effective immediately”.

The White House also reiterated its threat to use military action against Tehran over its violent crackdown against economic protesters.

At least 646 people have now died in clashes between demonstrators and security forces across Iran, according to a monitoring group.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has told reporters that airstrikes are among the “many, many options” that the US president is considering but that “diplomacy is always the first option for the president”.

“We are ready for war but also for dialogue,” Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi responded.

Mr Trump and his national security team have been weighing a range of potential responses against Iran including cyber-attacks and direct strikes by the US or Israel, according to two people familiar with internal White House discussions.

But the US president also said Tehran had been in touch and “they want to negotiate” to prevent such action.

Which countries are impacted by Trump’s new tariff?Donald Trump late on Monday announced that any country doing business with Iran, a major oil producer, will face a new tariff of 25 per cent on its exports to the US.

“This Order is final and conclusive,” Trump said in a social media post, without providing further detail about the legal authority he would use to impose the tariffs, or whether they would be aimed at all of Iran’s trading partners.

The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

Iran’s mission to the United Nations in New York declined to comment on Trump’s tariff announcement.

Fires are lit as protesters rally on 8 January 2026 in Tehran, Iran (Getty Images)Iran, already under heavy US sanctions, exports much of its oil to China, with Turkey, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates and India among its other top trading partners.

India already faces 50 per cent tariffs from the US, including 25 per cent over its purchases of oil from Russia.

The Chinese embassy in Washington criticised Trump’s approach, saying China will take “all necessary measures” to safeguard its interests and opposed “any illicit unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction”.

Trump has warned Iran’s leaders that the United States would attack if security forces open fire on protesters.

Namita Singh13 January 2026 05:45

A Turkish official cautions against foreign intervention in IranA senior Turkish official voiced opposition to foreign interventions in Iran, warning that such actions could worsen the country’s crisis.

Omer Celik, spokesperson for president Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling party, acknowledged on Monday that Iran faces internal challenges but stressed they must be resolved through “its own dynamics and the will of the state”.

People gather during protest on 8 January 2026 in Tehran, Iran (Getty Images)”We would never wish for any chaos to emerge in our neighbor Iran,” Celik said, adding that outside interference would only produce “worse outcomes.”

He cautioned that regional instability could escalate further if external involvement is driven by what he described as “Israeli provocations”.

Namita Singh13 January 2026 05:30

Russian official alleges foreign interferenceThe executive secretary of Russia’s Security Council has condemned what he described as foreign interference in Iran’s internal affairs.

The council said in a statement carried by Russian news agencies that Sergei Shoigu spoke by phone on Monday with his counterpart Ali Larijani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran.

The statement said Shoigu also offered his condolences over the numerous casualties, without elaboration.

Iran has alleged foreign influence in the protests.

Namita Singh13 January 2026 05:15

European Parliament bans Iranian diplomats from its premisesThe president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, announced a ban on Iranian diplomats from its premises on Monday.

“This House will not aid in legitimising this regime that has sustained itself through torture, repression and murder,” Metsola wrote on X. She also praised protesters who “continue to stand up for their rights and their liberty”.

Namita Singh13 January 2026 05:00

A timeline of Iran’s growing protest movement28 December: Protests break out in two major markets in downtown Tehran, after the Iranian rial plunged to a new record low.

29 December: The central bank head resigns as the protests spread and police fire tear gas at protesters.

30 December: President Masoud Pezeshkian vows to work with business leaders to hear their demands as university campuses join protests.

31 December: Protests in Fasa allegedly turn violent after crowds break into the governor’s office.

1 January: The protests’ first fatalities are officially reported, with authorities saying at least seven people have been killed.

2 January: Trump threatens Iran if it kills peaceful protesters.

3 January: Khamenei greenlights security forces in crackdown. Protests reach 170 locations with 15 dead.

8 January: The government blocks the internet after Reza Pahlavi calls on citizens to act.

9 January: Iran ramps up threats of punishment with 65 reported killed and 2,300 detained.

11 January: Iran’s parliament speaker threatens to strike US military bases in the region if Trump attacks, as rights groups say 538 people have now been killed. HRANA reports arrests have surpassed 10,000.

12 January: Trump announces 25 per cent tariffs on any country doing business with Iran.

Namita Singh13 January 2026 04:45

White House says airstrikes are among options for Iran but diplomacy is first choiceWhite House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has told reporters that airstrikes are among the “many, many options” that president Donald Trump is considering but that “diplomacy is always the first option for the president”.

Trump on Sunday said Iranian officials have reached out for talks. He has threatened to take military action against the Islamic Republic for its crackdown on the protests.

A picture of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is used to light a cigarette after being set alight by a protester outside the Iranian embassy, in London (Yui Mok/PA Wire)”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 said.

“However, with that said, the president has shown he’s unafraid to use military options if and when he deems necessary, and nobody knows that better than Iran.”The US last year bombed Iranian nuclear sites when it inserted itself into the 12-day war between Israel and Iran.

Namita Singh13 January 2026 04:30

Iran and the UK trade sharp statementsThe top diplomats for Iran and Britain have traded sharp statements after speaking by phone.

UK foreign secretary Yvette Cooper said she told Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi that Iran must halt the violence aimed at its people.

She wrote on X that the killing and repression of peaceful protesters is “horrific”.

Iranians attend a pro-government rally in Tehran, Iran, 12 January 2026 (Reuters)Araghchi responded by saying the UK should stay out of Iran’s internal affairs. He also criticised security at the Iranian embassy in London, where a demonstrator on Saturday scaled a wall and replaced the Islamic Republic’s flag with the banner flown before the Western-backed shah was overthrown in 1979.

“If the UK cannot uphold its duty to protect diplomatic missions, Iran would be left with no choice but to consider evacuating our personnel,” Araghchi said.

Namita Singh13 January 2026 04:15

Trump says Iran’s trade partners to face 25 per cent tariffs from the USPresident Donald Trump said on Monday that Iran’s trade partners will face 25 per cent tariffs from the United States as he looks to pressure Tehran over its violent protest crackdown that’s left at least 646 dead across the country.

The US president has repeatedly threatened Tehran with US military action, if his administration found the Islamic Republic was using deadly force against anti-government protesters.

A crowd gathers during a pro-government rally on 12 January 2026 in Tehran, Iran (Getty Images)It’s a redline that Trump says he believes Iran is “starting to cross” and has left him and his national security team weighing “very strong options.

“Trump announced the tariffs in a social media posting, saying they would be “effective immediately.”

China, Brazil, Turkey and Russia are among economies that do business with Tehran.

Namita Singh13 January 2026 04:00

Two arrested at protest outside Iran’s embassy in New ZealandIn New Zealand, two people were arrested on Tuesday during a protest outside the Iranian embassy in Wellington, authorities said.

About 20 people protested outside the embassy, while police officers monitored the situation, the police said in a statement. Officers were considering willful damage charges against the pair arrested.

“Police recognise the lawful right to protest, and maintained a presence to ensure the safety of all involved,” a statement said.

People attend a pro-government rally on 12 January 2026 in Tehran, Iran (Getty Images)Radio New Zealand reported that a man climbed onto a fence at the embassy to erect a pre-1979 Iranian flag, before it was removed by someone from inside the embassy.

Meanwhile, foreign ministry officials in Wellington have reminded New Zealanders of advice that they shouldn’t travel to Iran and should leave immediately if they are there. The advisory has been in place since November 2024.

Namita Singh13 January 2026 03:40

Activists say death toll has reached at least 646Activists said the death toll from the ongoing protests in Iran has reached at least 646.

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has been accurate in previous unrest in recent years, gave the latest death toll early on Tuesday.

People hold placards and wave flags during a pro-government demonstration on 12 January 2026 in Tehran, Iran (Getty Images)It relies on supporters in Iran crosschecking information.

It said 512 of the dead were protesters and 134 were members of the security forces.

More than 10,700 people also have been detained over the two weeks of protests, said the agency.

Namita Singh13 January 2026 03:20