Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Addresses Threats to the United States by the Government of Iran

CONFRONTING THE IRANIAN REGIME: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order reaffirming the ongoing national emergency with respect to Iran and establishing a process to impose tariffs on countries that acquire any goods or services from Iran to protect the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States.

• The Order imposes a system that allows the United States to impose additional tariffs on imports from any country that directly or indirectly purchases, imports, or otherwise acquires any goods or services from Iran.
• The President may modify the Order if circumstances change, in response to retaliation, or if Iran or an affected country takes significant steps to address the national emergency and align with the United States on national security, foreign policy, and economic matters.
• The Order authorizes the Secretary of State, Secretary of Commerce, and United States Trade Representative to take all necessary actions, including issuing rules and guidance, to implement the tariff system and related measures.

COUNTERING IRAN’S MALIGN INFLUENCE: The President is holding Iran accountable for its pursuit of nuclear capabilities, support for terrorism, ballistic missile development, and regional destabilization that endanger American security, allies, and interests.

• Iran — the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism — supports proxy terrorist groups and militias across the Middle East, including those who have killed and wounded Americans and are actively targeting U.S. forces, regional partners, and allies.
• The mismanagement of Iran’s resources is clear: the regime has chosen to spend them on nuclear and missile programs while its infrastructure and people struggle.
• The regime brutally represses its own people, killing thousands of protesters, denying human rights, and using violence to maintain power, while spreading extremism and undermining U.S. efforts for peace and stability.
• These actions constitute a continuing unusual and extraordinary threat to the United States, requiring a sustained and intensified response to protect American citizens, allies, and interests.

PUTTING AMERICA FIRST: President Trump has never wavered in his stance that Iran cannot be allowed to have a nuclear weapon — a pledge he has made repeatedly, both in office and on the campaign trail.

• President Trump is building on his strong record from his first term, when he withdrew from the flawed Iran nuclear deal, imposed maximum pressure, and designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
• Upon returning to office, President Trump restored maximum pressure on Iran to deny it all paths to a nuclear weapon and counter its malign influence abroad.
• In June, after Iran refused to reach a deal with the United States, President Trump authorized Operation Midnight Hammer which obliterated Iran’s nuclear facilities and significantly set back Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
• President Trump recently deployed a massive armada to the region, urging Iran to come to the table and negotiate a fair, equitable deal with no nuclear weapons, or face even stronger consequences.
• This is not the first time President Trump has taken a tough stance against regimes hostile to core U.S. national security interests. In just this past month, he authorized operations to remove Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro from power and imposed tariffs on countries that provide oil to Cuba, making clear that dictators and state sponsors of terrorism will be held to account.