Predictably, Donald Trump's response to the words pronounced by Iranian president Rouhani, who had declared that hostile policies conducted against Tehran could lead to "the mother of all wars", were not to be expected.
Trump warned the Iranian president not to threaten the United States. In a message posted late at night on Twitter to Rouhani, Trump wrote never to threaten the United States again if he doesn't want to suffer consequences that no one in history has ever suffered. The escalation of rhetoric came as the Trump administration launched an offensive of online speeches and communications aimed at fomenting unrest and helping to pressure Iran to end its nuclear program and support for militant groups, according to US officials familiar with the matter.
For its part, Iran has been faced with increased US pressure and looming sanctions following Trump's decision to withdraw the US from a 2015 international agreement on Iran's nuclear program.
In a speech delivered Sunday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo denounced Iranian leaders as a "mafia" and promised support for Iranians dissatisfied with their government without giving further details.
As reported by the new state agency IRNA, during a meeting with Iranian diplomats, Rouhani issued a warning to the American president: "Mr. Trump, do not play with the lion's tail, this would only bring regrets, America should know that peace with Iran is the mother of all peace, and war with Iran is the mother of all wars ”, leaving however open the possibility of peace between the two countries, in contrast since 1979.
Rouhani also mocked Trump's threat to stop Iranian oil exports by pointing out that Iran occupies a dominant position in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, which is an important gateway for the transportation of oil by sea.
Rouhani's apparent threat launched earlier this month to stop oil shipments from neighboring countries comes in response to Washington's calls for all countries to stop buying Iranian oil. Initially, Washington had planned to completely shut Iran out of global oil markets, but they later softened their position somewhat, saying it could grant sanctioning waivers to some allies who are particularly dependent on Iranian supplies.