Breaking: Trump announces 25% tariff on countries doing business with Iran…

Summary

• President Donald Trump says countries doing business with Iran will face a 25% tariff on trade with the US, in response to a deadly crackdown on anti-government protests

• Trump has also been briefed on a range of military and covert options for use in the country, officials tell the BBC’s US partner CBS News – including long-range missile strikes, as well as cyber and psychological tools

• In recent days the US president has warned of a possible military intervention if protesters were killed – his national security team is expected to meet later to discuss options

• Iran’s foreign minister says Tehran is open to talks with Washington, but remains “prepared for war”

• At least 648 protesters have been killed in the ongoing crackdown in Iran, a human rights group says – but warns the death toll could be far higher

• A days-long internet blackout is making it difficult to verify information coming out of the country, and the BBC and most other international news media are unable to report from Iran

Fars news agency, which is linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), has claimed that last night was the “calm after the storm” following over two weeks of protests in the country.

A report on the agency at midnight local time claimed that there was a “night free from unrest” in many cities across the country, including the capital Tehran, as well as Isfahan, Ilam and Bushehr.

Fars said that despite calm being restored in most cities, security forces were continuing their patrols in a number of locations to “reassure the public”.

The report claimed that around three million people had taken part in yesterday’s march in support of the establishment, which the report said would play an effective role in consolidating security in Iran.

Despite this, the BBC received footage from people who claim protests continued in a number of different areas last night, although the internet blackout – now in its fifth day – makes it is difficult to verify when the videos were filmed.

Norway-based group Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) also reported yesterday that at least 648 protesters had been killed in the recent unrest while also noting that unverified reports could raise the death toll to more than 6,000.

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