Rogue states such as Iran face tougher military action from America under Donald Trump, the director of the CIA has warned, as he said the US is “closer now than we have ever been” to the threat of nuclear missiles from North Korea.

Mike Pompeo urged Iran to “take note” that Donald Trump’s missile strikes against the Syrian military were a sign the White House was “prepared to engage in activities that are different from what America has been doing these past few years”.

His comments came as China warned that military conflict over North Korea’s nuclear weapon’s programme could break out “at any moment” as a stand off with the US approached breaking point.

Tension over the rogue state’s arsenal risks reaching an "irreversible and unmanageable stage" as a US aircraft carrier group steamed towards the region amid fears Pyongyang is on the verge of a nuclear weapons test that would trigger US retaliation.