Trade Minister Todd McClay has told officials to monitor the situation. Photo / Marty Melville
New Zealand last year reimposed sanctions on Iran in response to “non-compliance with its nuclear obligations”.
The United Nations Sanctions (Iran) Regulations 2025 puts obligations on people in New Zealand when engaging with Iran, including prohibiting dealing with some individuals and keeping business records for at least seven years. There are import, export and procurement bans relating to nuclear weapons, missiles, enrichment-related goods and arms.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade advises anyone looking to do business with Iran to obtain independent legal advice due to the scope of the regulations. From February this year, anyone intending to do business with Iran will be required to register.
“The compulsory registration scheme is designed to ensure that legitimate trade with Iran can continue, and that those engaging in such trade exercise the necessary degree of vigilance.”
In his social media post, Trump said: “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”.
“This Order is final and conclusive. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
China, which is Iran’s largest trading partner, reacted severely to the comments of tariffs by Trump. An official at its Washington DC embassy said Beijing would “take all necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests”.
Demonstrations have been ongoing for weeks. Photo / Getty Images
Trump has been attempting to increase pressure on the Iranian regime as nationwide rallies there engulf the Middle Eastern country. According to human rights groups, hundreds have been killed amid a violent crackdown by authorities.
The protests, sparked by economic woes, have been encouraged by Trump. He wrote on social media that “Iranian Patriots” should continue demonstrating and “help is on the way”. He has previously threatened military action if authorities used lethal force.
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters last week said New Zealand was “gravely concerned by reported killing of protestors in Iran” and called on the Iranian security forces “to refrain from violence”. He stressed that Government advice was not to travel to Iran.
Jamie Ensor is the NZ Herald’s Chief Political Reporter, based in the Press Gallery at Parliament. He was previously a TV reporter and digital producer in the Newshub Press Gallery office. He was a finalist in 2025 for Political Journalist of the Year at the Voyager Media Awards.