Opportunity knocks? #Iran taunts #DonaldTrump after US sends more warships to ...

President Donald Trump warned Iranian President Hassan Rouhani not to threaten the United States or face the consequences in a scathing tweet last night.

The post, which was written in all capitals, came just hours after Rouhani told Trump that hostile policies toward Tehran could lead to "the mother of all wars."

In a late night Twitter message, Trump wrote: "NEVER, EVER THREATEN THE UNITED STATES AGAIN OR YOU WILL SUFFER CONSEQUENCES THE LIKES OF WHICH FEW THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE EVER SUFFERED BEFORE.

"WE ARE NO LONGER A COUNTRY THAT WILL STAND FOR YOUR DEMENTED WORDS OF VIOLENCE & DEATH. BE CAUTIOUS!"

Iran has faced increased US pressure and looming sanctions following Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from a 2015 international deal over Iran's nuclear program. 

Here is the latest news and live updates on the Iran v US war of words.

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This is the end of our live coverage on this for today. Head to express.co.uk for more news and analysis 

5.30pm update: Senator Jeff Merkley questions Trump's intentions. 

Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley has taken to Twitter to point out the contrast in Mr Trump's treatment of Russia and Iran. 

In the Tweet, he suggests the treatment of Iran is not proportional when considering the thawing of relations between the United States and Russia since the Helsinki summit last week. 

Trump Iran conflictTrump Iran conflict: Senator Merkley's tweet (Image: Twitter / @SenJeffMerkley)

4.43pm update: Mike Pompeo attempts to offer an olive branch

Trump's Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, seems to have tried to make a peace offering. 

He tweeted: "To our Iranian-American and Iranian friends: The Trump Administration dreams the same dreams for the people of #Iran as you do, and through our labours and God’s providence they will one day come true."

3.48pm update:  John Bolton weighs in, backing up Trump's tweet

Trump's national security advisor, John Bolton, has released a statement via the White House. 

CNN journalist Kaitlan Collins tweeted the statement, which says: “I spoke to the President over the last several days, and President Trump told me that if Iran does anything at all to the negative, they will pay a price like few countries have ever paid before.”

3.10pm update: Rouhani criticised as 'anything but a reformer'

Shahin Gobadi said: "He is anything but a “moderate” or a “reformer.” His task is to keep the regime in power. But appeasers of the regime have been calling him a “moderate” in order to justify the political and economic expediency of dealing with the regime, even though doing so facilitates that regime’s sinister objectives. Propagating the big lie has been detrimental for the welfare of the Iranian people and has been dangerous for the world peace.

"A review of Rouhani’s record during his tenure as president is very illuminating: Iran, already the country with the world’s highest per capita rate of executions, has seen a remarkable increase in the number of executions; it has maintained unwavering support of the Syrian dictator Bashar Assad in massacring the Syrian people, has stepping up proliferation and testing of ballistic missiles."

2.34pm update: Trump’s tweet has become a viral online meme within hours.

Express.co.uk bring you just some of the best responses.

Twitter user @wideawakewesley said: “To my wife & kids: NEVER, EVER THREATEN TO STEAL A CHIP FROM MY PLATE AGAIN OR YOU WILL SUFFER CONSEQUENCES THE LIKES OF WHICH FEW THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE EVER SUFFERED BEFORE. I AM NO LONGER A MAN THAT WILL STAND FOR YOUR GRASPING HANDS OF JEALOUSY & HUNGER. BE CAUTIOUS!”

@KavanaghCk said: “To borrow from the leader of the Free World.

“TO MOSQUITOS. NEVER, EVER THREATEN ME AGAIN OR YOU WILL SUFFER CONSEQUENCES THE LIKES OF WHICH FEW THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE EVER SUFFERED BEFORE. I AM NO LONGER A GIRL WHO WILL STAND FOR YOUR DEMENTED BITING! BE CAUTIOUS! “

@ThatJCStoneking said: “To Iranian President Rouhani: I'LL TELL YOU WHAT I WANT! WHAT I REALLY REALLY WANT!

“SO TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT! WHAT YOU REALLY REALLY WANT!

“I WANNA (HUH), I WANNA (HUH), I WANNA (HUH), I WANNA (HUH)

“I WANNA REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, WANNA ZIGAZIG AH!”

@TrivWorks added: “To Iranian President Rouhani: He meant to say “wouldn’t”.”

And @AndrewPStreet replied: “...sorry, is that never ever DON’T threaten the United States? Its hard to keep track of when you mean what you say and when you mean the exact opposite.”

Iran vs USA - Trump memeIran vs USA: Trump's tweet became a meme (Image: TWITTER)

2.03pm update: Germany called for restraint amid escalating rhetoric 

Foreign Ministry spokesman Christofer Burger told reporters in Berlin on Monday: "We support dialogue and talks, and we call on all sides to exercise restraint and rhetorical disarmament."

1.54pm update: Trump’s words could bring the two countries to the brink of war, it is feared

Kamel Wazne, a Lebanese analyst, says Iran cannot trusts America after President Trump pulled his country out of the nuclear deal.

And he warned this further conflict could antagonise key military players in Iran.

He says: "Iran has said very clearly that any war with them will be very costly, and this means American bases throughout the region could be a target."

Wazne added: “It needs just one mistake to have a major regional war."

1.43pm update: Trump will not tolerate Iran threats

The White House says President Donald Trump's threatening tweet shows he's not going to tolerate critical rhetoric from Iran.

Press secretary Sarah Sanders says that "if anybody's inciting anything, look no further than to Iran."

Sanders said on Monday that Trump has been "very clear about what he's not going to allow to take place."

But she added the USA President isn't escalating tensions between the two countries, despite the tweets inflammatory nature.

Iran vs USA: Hassan RouhaniIran vs USA: Hassan Rouhani has been condemned for this threat (Image: AFP)

12.42pm update: The Iranian opposition attacked Rouhani for his "warmongering" comments

Shahin Gobadi, a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran in Paris, condemned Rouhani's comments.

He said: "Rouhani’s remarks were total bluster and warmongering.

"We have stated time and again over the years that appeasing the clerical regime will simply embolden it to continue its malign activities and pursue its sinister objectives.

"Rouhani’s remarks once again unmistakably prove this reality pertaining to the very nature of the ruling theocracy."

11.50am update: First Iran sanction to come into force in just weeks

The presidential order, which pulled the USA out of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, started a 180-day countdown timer which would allow the Trump administration to re-impose all of the sanctions on Iran that were relaxed under the Obama administration.

The order specifies that many of the sanctions should be re-imposed in 90 days — which means they will be back in action from August 6.

This first deadline will affect the purchase of US dollars, trade in gold and certain other metals, as well as aviation and the car industry.

Then, on 4 November, more sanctions will target Iran's financial and oil institutions.

Iran vs USA: Donald TrumpIran vs USA: Donald Trump and Hassan Rouhani have a tense relationship (Image: REUTERS)

11.24am update: Iran Leader backs suggestion to block Gulf Oil exports 

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei backed President Hassan Rouhani's suggestion that Iran may block Gulf oil exports if its own exports are stopped.

Speaking on Saturday, he warned negotiations with the United States would be an "obvious mistake".

"Khamenei said remarks by the president ... that 'if Iran's oil is not exported, no regional country's oil will be exported,' were important remarks that reflect the policy and the approach of Iran's system," Khamenei's official website said.

11.13am update: An Iranian political analyst has downplayed Trump's warning as "the storm before the calm."

Seed Leilaz says he isn't "worried about the remarks and tweets," claiming it's "unlikely such a tweet will have any impact inside Iran."

The analyst added: "Neither Iran, nor any other country is interested in escalating tensions in the region."

11.08am update: Iran split over Trump involvement

Many ordinary Iranians are largely sceptical of the Trump administration's support for Iranian citizens.

The harsh U0. sanctions on the country have left many struggling without food while a visa ban has been imposed on Iranians barring them from entering the United States.

However, others have praised Trump for stepping in as they are hopeful the USA can help to overthrow the Iran regime.

Iran v USA: Benjamin Netanyahu praised TrumpIran v USA: Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trump's "tough" stance (Image: EPA)

10.51am update: More on Netanyahu's response to Trump tweet

The Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke at his weekly Cabinet meeting Monday to praise Trump for his "tough stance" on Iran after last night's warning on Twitter.

He added Trump and his secretary of state were taking a clear position against "Iranian aggression" after years in which the "regime was pampered by world powers."

10.41am update, Despite Iran deal, Tehran could be running four nuclear sites

The deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was sought to relax sanctions against Tehran on the premise President Hasan Rouhani would limit the nuclear development program.

But a report disclosed to Express.co.uk last October revealed Iran is actually operating FOUR military sites for the development of nuclear weapons.

Iran’s Nuclear Core, a report published by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) and compiled over the years from dissident eyewitnesses and inside sources, claims the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has continued to run Tehran’s military nuclear program in the face of

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