US President Trump warns Iran of military action or increased sanctions if a new nuclear agreement is not reached. He also threatens Russia with heavy tariffs on oil imports.
United States President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran, stating that if Tehran does not agree to a nuclear deal with Washington, it could face military action or secondary tariffs.
Speaking in a telephone interview with NBC News on Sunday, Trump said discussions were underway between US and Iranian officials but refrained from providing further details.
“If they don’t make a deal, there will be bombing,” Trump said. “But there’s a chance that if they don’t make a deal, that I will do secondary tariffs on them like I did four years ago.”
During his first tenure from 2017 to 2021, Trump had withdrawn the US from the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, which had imposed strict curbs on Tehran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. He subsequently reimposed sweeping sanctions, leading Iran to significantly exceed the agreed uranium enrichment limits.
Iran has so far resisted Trump’s warnings, maintaining that its nuclear programme is solely for civilian energy purposes. However, Western powers have accused Tehran of secretly working towards developing nuclear weapons by enriching uranium to levels beyond what is required for civilian energy needs.
According to Iran’s official IRNA news agency, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi confirmed that Tehran had responded through Oman to a letter from Trump urging a new nuclear agreement.
Trump ‘Angry’ At Putin, Threatens Heavy Tariffs On Russian Oil Over Ukraine War
Meanwhile, Trump also expressed his frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin over his remarks criticising Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s leadership.
“I am very angry and pissed off,” the US President told NBC News, reacting to Putin’s comments. He further warned of imposing heavy tariffs on Russian oil if a peace agreement in Ukraine is not reached.
“If Russia and I are unable to make a deal on stopping the bloodshed in Ukraine, and if I think it was Russia’s fault—which it might not be—but if I think it was Russia’s fault, I am going to put secondary tariffs on oil, on all oil coming out of Russia,” Trump stated.
He explained that the measures would mean any country purchasing Russian oil would be barred from doing business in the United States. “There will be a 25% tariff on all oil, a 25- to 50-point tariff on all oil,” he added, as quoted by NBC News.
Trump’s remarks come amid his previous criticisms of Zelenskyy, in which he had claimed to be “sick” of the Ukrainian leader’s handling of the war and had falsely referred to him as a dictator.
Former US President Joe Biden had banned Russian oil imports shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. According to the US Energy Information Administration, Russian oil imports into the US had plummeted to just 10,000 barrels in 2023.
Trump also announced “secondary tariffs” on Venezuela, stating on Truth Social that countries purchasing oil and gas from Venezuela would face economic consequences.
An analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air identified China, Turkey, Brazil, and India as major importers of Russian oil. If Trump applies the same secondary tariff policy as he did with Venezuela, these nations could face economic repercussions.
Trump has made ending the Ukraine war a key foreign policy objective, initiating meetings between US, Ukrainian, and Russian officials since taking office. Last week, Russia and Ukraine agreed to a partial ceasefire to facilitate safe navigation in the Black Sea and halt attacks on energy infrastructure.
“There will be a 25% tariff on oil and other products sold in the United States, secondary tariffs,” Trump reiterated, adding that these tariffs would take effect within a month if a ceasefire deal is not reached, as per NBC News.
Trump also noted that while he is angered by Putin’s stance, he maintains a “very good relationship” with the Russian leader. “The anger dissipates quickly … if he does the right thing,” he said, adding that the two are scheduled to speak again this week.
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