IRAN’S youth will witness the demise of American and Israeli civilisation, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed.

The leader’s comments come a day after a senior Revolutionary Guards commander bragged Donald Trump “wouldn’t dare” attack Iran.

5 Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told students that Iran's youth would see the demise of the US and Israel Credit: AP:Associated Press

5 Major General Gholamali Rashid said the US would never dare attack Iran Credit: Wikipedia

In a meeting with students Khamenei said: “You young people should be assured that you will witness the demise of the enemies of humanity, meaning the degenerate American civilisation, and the demise of Israel.”

Tensions between the US and Iran have escalated after Mr Trump sent an aircraft carrier, B-52 bombers and Patriot missiles to the Middle East.

The display of military force was against Iranian threats to US troops and interests in the regions, Washington officials said.

Major General Gholamali Rashid said the US would never attack Iran because of its “spirit of resistance”.

Semi-official Fars news agency quoted him as saying: “If the criminal America and its Western and regional allies don't dare carry out a face-to-face military attack against our country, it is because of the spirit of resistance and sacrifice of the people and youth."

A huge US naval presence has built up in the Gulf amid a fevered standoff between Washington and Tehran.

MILITARY TENSION

US intelligence revealed Iran was on the verge of carrying out offensive action to disrupt and attack American and partner interests in the region.

Officials said military moves were based in part on indications that Iran had moved short-range ballistic missiles onto small boats called dhows along its shore.

They would not say if the intelligence showed that the boats have mobile launchers on them.

The Islamic Republic - once the US’ close ally in the region until its blood-drenched revolution in 1979 – has branded the deployment as "psychological warfare” aimed at intimidating the country.

Two Saudi oil tankers were hit by a "sabotage attack" off the United Arab Emirates, it was announced on May 13

The ships were struck off the coast of the port of Fujairah - with one of the tankers due to be loaded with Saudi crude oil bound for the United States.

Saudi energy minister Khalid Al-Falih revealed the tankers suffered "significant damage" - although it was unclear what the attack involved.

Just minutes before the sabotage attack was revealed today, the US Maritime Administration warned shippers to exercise caution when travelling past Fujairah.

The general-secretary of the Gulf Cooperation Council described the sabotage as a "serious escalation" in an overnight statement.

What is the Iran nuclear deal? The deal was an agreement between the Islamic Republic and a group of world powers aimed at scrapping the Middle Eastern country's nuclear weapons programme. It saw Iran agree to eliminate its stockpile of medium-enriched uranium by 98 per cent. According to the deal, Iran would receive relief from the US, European Union, and the United Nations Security Council on all nuclear-related economic sanctions. The agreement was reached on July 14, 2015, and the world powers signed it in Vienna. However, on May 8, 2018, President Trump announced the US will withdraw from the agreement - which he has repeatedly called "insane" and ridiculous". America's withdrawal from the agreement mean crippling economic sanctions will once again be placed on Iran - further heightening tensions between the two countries.

A COLLAPSING DEAL

The increased military presence in the region comes as Khamenei appeared to step back from Iran’s commitments in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

Mr Trump pulled out of the nuclear last year and reinstated sanctions, claiming the agreement didn’t address Iran’s missile program.

Iranian production of low-enriched uranium has recently increased fourfold, putting the nation on a path to exceed limits set under the 2015 nuclear deal.

The supplies in question are not enriched to a level suitable for weapons development.

But the increased output threatens to further erode the Iran nuclear deal and destabilise a region that provides much of the world’s energy supply.

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Earlier this month, Iran threatened to stop respecting the limits set on its stockpiles of enriched uranium and heavy water – both of which can be used to make nukes.

Khamenei said: “The way (the nuclear deal) was put into action, I didn´t have much faith (in it).

“And we repeatedly told the president and the foreign minister and gave them notice.”

5

US sends Patriot missile-defence system to Middle East amid escalating tensions with Iran

5 Two oil tankers were hit by a 'sabotage attack' off the coast of the UAE - with one of the ships bound for America (stock photo) Credit: AFP or licensors

5 Donald Trump pulled out the 2015 nuclear deal last summer Credit: AP:Associated Press

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