President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday reaffirming the ongoing national emergency with respect to Iran and establishing a process to impose additional tariffs on imports from countries that acquire goods or services from Iran, according to a White House fact sheet.
The order authorizes the United States to impose additional tariffs on imports from any country determined to be “directly or indirectly” purchasing, importing, or otherwise acquiring goods or services from Iran. The White House said the measure is intended to protect U.S. national security, foreign policy interests, and the American economy.
Under the order, the Secretary of State, Secretary of Commerce, and the United States Trade Representative are authorized to take necessary actions to implement the tariff system, including issuing rules and guidance related to enforcement.
The White House said the president may modify the order if circumstances change, including in response to retaliation or if Iran or an affected country takes what the administration described as significant steps to address the national emergency and align with U.S. national security, foreign policy, and economic objectives.
In its fact sheet, the White House cited Iran’s pursuit of nuclear capabilities, support for terrorist organizations, ballistic missile development, and regional destabilization as ongoing threats requiring a sustained response. The White House described Iran as the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism and said its actions constitute an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to the United States and its allies.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, President Trump announced earlier this year that countries doing business with Iran would face a 25% tariff on their trade with the United States. The new executive order formalizes that policy and establishes an implementation framework.
The action comes amid continued legal scrutiny of the president’s authority to impose broad tariffs under national emergency powers. The U.S. Supreme Court has not yet issued a ruling in cases challenging the administration’s use of emergency authority to levy tariffs, leaving uncertainty for businesses and trading partners as the administration continues to deploy trade measures tied to national security.
In December, the U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions targeting Iranian and Venezuelan individuals and entities linked to drone, missile, and weapons-related cooperation between the two governments. Treasury officials said the action was intended to disrupt Iran’s military-industrial network and its overseas partnerships.
The executive order also arrives as U.S. authorities continue reviewing Iran’s international partnerships. In prior reporting, The Dallas Express detailed whistleblower-provided materials submitted to U.S. officials describing extensive financial, industrial, and resource cooperation between Iran and Venezuela, including activity spanning energy, mining, and state-linked commercial arrangements. The materials have not resulted in formal findings, and no U.S. agency has publicly confirmed their contents or conclusions.
The White House said the Iran-related order builds on actions taken during President Trump’s first term, including withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal, reimposing sanctions, and designating Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
Officials said the administration’s current approach reflects what it described as a continuation of “maximum pressure” aimed at denying Iran any path to a nuclear weapon while holding countries that engage economically with the Iranian regime accountable.
