The US has advised its citizens to leave Iran while France is pulling out non-essential embassy staff.
A statement posted on Monday on the US embassy website in Iran warned that “increased security measures, road closures, public transportation disruptions and internet blockages are ongoing”.
It added: “The government of Iran has restricted access to mobile, landline, and national internet networks. Airlines continue to limit or cancel flights to and from Iran.”
France said it had evacuated some diplomatic workers from its Tehran embassy on Sunday and Monday, but added that the embassy was open and that the ambassador remained in post.
President Trump has announced imminent tariffs for any nation doing business with the Iranian regime.
Writing on Truth Social on Monday, the US president declared: “Effective immediately, any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25 per cent on any and all business being done with the United States of America. This Order is final and conclusive.”
Iran is already subject to sweeping Western sanctions, but the move could impact its trade with neighbouring countries, such as Pakistan, Turkey and Iraq, as well as potentially China, the main buyer for Iranian oil. Russia is a significant buyer of Iranian weapons, including the Shahed drones it uses for attacks in Ukraine.