President Donald Trump brushed off concern that he is escalating tensions with the Islamic Republic of Iran after issuing a warning to President Rouhani on Twitter late Sunday.
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 response to a question asking the president if he is concerned, Trump replied, “Not at all.”
The president’s national security advisor John Bolton supported him, saying, “I spoke to the president over the last several days, and President Trump told me that if Iran does anything at all to the negative, they will pay a price like few countries have ever paid before.”
Trump was reacting to a warning from Iranian President Hassan Rouhani who said on Sunday that “war with Iran is the mother of all wars.” He also made a direct statement to the president, saying, “Mr. Trump, don’t play with the lion’s tail. This would only lead to regret.”