Hours after the president of Iran warned of the “mother of all wars” if the US acts aggressively toward his country, President Trump blasted back on Twitter with an angry message warning the Iranians never to threaten him or America.

“To Iranian President [Hassan] Rouhani: 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!” Trump wrote at about 10:30 p.m. Sunday.

The all-caps missive warning to Rouhani to “be cautious” was in response to equally belligerent comments the Iranian leader made at a gathering of his country’s diplomats in Tehran on Sunday.

“Mr. Trump, don’t play with the lion’s tail, this would only lead to regret,” the state new agency IRNA quoted the leader as saying. “America should know that peace with Iran is the mother of all peace, and war with Iran is the mother of all wars.”

In May, the Trump administration pulled out of the nuclear arms deal with Iran that had been worked out under the Obama administration. Trump also moved to reimpose sanctions lifted under the deal.

To Iranian President Rouhani: 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! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 23, 2018

In Washington, US officials told Reuters that the Trump administration has more recently launched an offensive of speeches and online communications meant to foment unrest and help pressure Iran to end its nuclear program and its support of militant groups.

With Post wires