[00:00.16]U.S. President Donald Trump says Iran risks serious consequences
[00:07.36]if it makes more threats against the United States.
[00:13.24]Trump's words were written in large letters as part of a Twitter message.
[00:21.36]It appeared on Twitter Sunday night.
[00:25.32]It came hours after Iranian President Hassan Rouhani told the American leader
[00:33.16]that hostile policies toward his country could lead to "the mother of all wars."
[00:42.36]While tensions between the countries have increased, both sides
[00:48.16]have reasons to want to avoid starting a conflict that could easily intensify.
[00:56.44]Trump's comments followed a series of speeches
[01:00.36]and communications meant to incite unrest in Iran.
[01:05.97]U.S. officials say the Trump administration wants to pressure Iran
[01:12.32]to end its nuclear program and its support of militant groups.
[01:19.20]Iran has faced increased U.S. pressure and possible sanctions since May.
[01:26.88]That is when Trump announced his decision to withdraw the United States
[01:33.20]from a 2015 international agreement over Iran's nuclear program.
[01:40.20]In his message directed at Rouhani, Trump wrote:
[01:45.76]"Never, ever threaten the United States again
[01:49.28]or you will suffer consequences the likes of which
[01:53.32]few throughout history have ever suffered before.
[01:58.16]We are no longer a country that will stand
[02:01.60]for your demented words of violence & death."
[02:05.92]Earlier on Sunday, Rouhani had told Iranian diplomats:
[02:12.32]"Mr. Trump, don't play with the lion's tail,
[02:16.28]this would only lead to regret."
[02:19.76]"America should know that peace with Iran is the mother of all peace,
[02:25.28]and war with Iran is the mother of all wars," Rouhani said.
[02:32.16]The Iranian state news agency IRNA reported his comments.
[02:39.04]Rouhani left open the possibility of peace between the countries.
[02:44.96]But Iran's most powerful leader, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei,
[02:52.96]said on Saturday that negotiations with the United States would be a "mistake."
[02:59.68]Rouhani also made fun of Trump's threat to stop Iranian oil exports.
[03:07.52]He said Iran has a leading position in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz,
[03:13.84]a major waterway for oil shipping.
[03:17.64]A commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards reacted to Trump's threats
[03:23.68]by saying his country would continue to resist its enemies.
[03:29.52]Iran's Students news Agency ISNA reported his comments.
[03:36.72]Trump's warning to Iran came hours after a speech
[03:41.04]by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
[03:46.32]Speaking in California, Pompeo described Iran's religious leadership as a "mafia."
[03:54.20]He also promised support for Iranians unhappy with their government.
[04:00.88]Pompeo said that the government has become a nightmare for the Iranian people.
[04:08.00]He urged all U.S. allies to join in financially suppressing the government.
[04:15.76]Iran reacted to Pompeo's speech as interference in its affairs,
[04:21.76]the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.
[04:26.48]An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said,
[04:29.96]"Such policies will unite Iranians who will overcome plots against their country."
[04:37.16]There is little interest among United States lawmakers for a conflict with Iran.
[04:44.20]U.S. officials note the difficulty the military faced in Iraq after its invasion in 2003.
[04:53.76]They also are concerned about the effect on the world economy of higher oil prices.
[05:01.52]Many Iranians are worried that the war of words might lead to a conflict.
[05:07.68]But observers in Tehran told the Reuters news agency
[05:12.80]that the U.S. administration would not bring the country
[05:16.84]into another quagmire in the Middle East.
[05:20.32]I'm Ashley Thompson.