January 20, 2026 | 08:16 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Iranian government believes that the threat of 25 percent tariffs announced by United States (US) President Donald Trump against countries that continue to trade with Tehran will be ineffective. Iran views the policy as a repetition of the economic sanctions strategy that has failed to achieve Washington's political goals for decades.
Iranian Ambassador to Indonesia Mohammad Boroujerdi stated that Iran has been living under various forms of international sanctions since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. These sanctions include trade restrictions, the suspension of US imports of Iranian oil, and the freezing of the country's assets abroad.
"Since the beginning of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, we have faced sanctions like this, both against Iran and the companies that cooperate with us," Boroujerdi said when met at the FPCI Secretariat in Jakarta on Monday, January 19, 2026.
Tariff Policy on Other Countries
Boroujerdi believes that Trump does not have the authority to impose this tariff policy on all countries. According to him, several countries and economic blocs have stated that they will not comply with Washington's decision.
"President Trump seems to have forgotten that not every country in the world has to comply. He can make rules for the United States, but not for the rest of the world," Boroujerdi said.
He added that the European Union and several independent countries have expressed their opposition.
"Trump can order the US. But the European Union has said it will not comply with such rules. Several independent countries have also stated they will not comply. The US must accept that economic sanctions have failed," Boroujerdi said.
Boroujerdi acknowledged that Iran is facing economic pressure, including the weakening of its national currency. However, he believes this pressure will not advance Washington's desired goals.
"We do have economic problems, including the value of our currency. But this pressure will not lead to goals like regime change or creating unrest and violence," Boroujerdi said.
He added that the scale of Iran's economy means that US tariff pressure will have no significant impact. "I hope this plan will also fail, as other plans have failed so far," he said.
Tariff Threats and Escalating US Pressure
According to an Al Jazeera report, Trump stated that any country trading with Iran would be subject to a 25 percent tariff on all business with the United States. The statement was made in a post on the social media platform Truth Social on Monday, January 12.
"Effective immediately, any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America," Trump wrote. In recent weeks, Trump has also increased pressure on Tehran with military threats regarding Iran's nuclear program and domestic situation.
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