'Never, ever threaten' US

US President Donald Trump told Iran it risked consequences "the like of which few throughout history have suffered before" if the Islamic Republic made more threats against the United States.

His words, spelled out in capital letters in a late night Twitter message, came hours after Iranian President Hassan Rouhani told Trump that hostile policies toward Tehran could lead to "the mother of all wars."

The heightened rhetoric follows the Trump administration's launch of an offensive of speeches and online communications meant to foment unrest and pressure Iran to end its nuclear program and its support of militant groups, according to US officials.

Iran has faced increased US pressure and possible sanctions since Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from a 2015 international agreement over Iran's nuclear program, reported Reuters.

In his message directed at Rouhani, 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!".

Earlier on Sunday, Rouhani had told a gathering of Iranian diplomats: "Mr Trump, don't play with the lion's tail, this would only lead to regret."

"America should know that peace with Iran is the mother of all peace, and war with Iran is the mother of all wars," said Rouhani, quoted by the state news agency IRNA.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday praised President Donald Trump's "tough stand" against Iran after the US leader issued a stark warning to the Islamic republic, reported AFP.