Iran’s leader on Sunday left open the possibility of peace with the United States but cautioned President Trump against taking an aggressive stand with the Islamic Republic, saying an outbreak of hostilities between the two countries would lead to the “mother of all wars,” according to a report.
“America should know that peace with Iran is the mother of all peace, and war with Iran is the mother of all wars,” President Hassan Rouhani said, Reuters reported.
Iran and the US have seen their relationship deteriorate after Trump in May withdrew from an international deal struck in 2015 over the country’s nuclear program.
Washington hit Tehran with an initial round of sanctions and threatened to retaliate against foreign companies that continue to do business with Iran despite the penalties.
Rouhani warned the US not to go down that path.
“Mr. Trump, don’t play with the lion’s tail, this would only lead to regret,” he said, Reuters reported, citing state-run media.
The report also said officials in Washington have launched a campaign intended to pressure Iran to end its nuclear program and its support of militant groups in the Middle East by creating unrest among its citizens.
“You are not in a position to incite the Iranian nation against Iran’s security and interests,” Rouhani said in reference to those measures.
In response to the Trump administration’s actions, Iran has threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz, the passageway between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, to disrupt crude oil shipments in the region.
“Anyone who understands the rudiments of politics doesn’t say ‘we will stop Iran’s oil exports’…we have been the guarantor of the regional waterway’s security throughout history,” Rouhani said.