STAND FOR YOUR DEMENTED WORDS OF VIOLENCE & DEATH. BE CAUTIOUS!'

The message echoed remarks Trump made to North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un in August last year amid a flurry of missile tests.

At the time, Trump told reporters: 'North Korea best not make any more threats to the United States.

'They will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen.'

Rouhani had earlier told Trump 'peace with Iran will be the mother of all peace, but war with Iran will be the mother of all wars'

Trump's tweet came after Mike Pompeo promised a 'maximum pressure' campaign against the Iranian regime in echoes of the administration's strategy against North Korea

Trump's remarks came after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pledged a 'maximum pressure campaign' against Rouhani and his government.

TheTrump administration described its approach to North Korea in the same terms.

Pompeo branded Iran's leadership a 'mafia' and promised US backing to groups rebelling against the government, though did not name them.

All of this comes after Trump effectively tore up the Iran nuclear agreement signed under predecessor Barack Obama by threatening tough new sanctions on Tehran.

In response Iran threatened to blockade the Strait of Hormuz, which handles around 20 per cent of the world's oil shipments.

The Trump administration initially planned to shut Iran out of global oil markets completely, demanding all other countries stop buying Iranian crude by November.

But the U.S. has somewhat eased its stance, saying it may grant sanction waivers to some allies that are particularly reliant on Iranian supplies.