WASHINGTON, Feb 6 (KUNA) -- US President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order (EO) on Friday reaffirming a state of national emergency regarding Iran and establishing a mechanism to impose punitive tariffs on any nation acquiring goods or services from Tehran.
The Order introduces a secondary sanctions framework, authorizing the US to levy additional duties on imports from countries that "directly or indirectly" engage in trade with the Iranian regime. This move is designed to safeguard US national security and economic interests by isolating Iran from the global marketplace.
Under the decree, the Secretary of State, Secretary of Commerce, and the US Trade Representative are mandated to implement the tariff system.
The President remains empowered to adjust these measures in response to international retaliation or should affected nations align with US foreign policy objectives.
These measures converge with the conclusion of a fresh round of negotiations between Washington and Tehran in Oman. This comes amid renewed threats of military intervention by the US, a few months after the US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites last summer.
On January 12, President Trump announced the imposition of punitive 25 percent tariffs on any nation engaging in trade with Iran.
He underscored that these secondary sanctions would apply to all trade transactions between such countries and the United States, characterizing the move as a 'final and irreversible mandate'. (end) asj.ibi