Iranian president warns Trump of ‘mother of all wars’ over anti-Iran policy
Tehran: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has cautioned US President Donald Trump about pursuing hostile policies against Tehran, saying “America should know … war with Iran is the mother of all wars,” the state new agency IRNA reports. Iran faces increased US pressure and looming sanctions after Mr Trump’s decision to withdraw the United States from a 2015 international deal over Iran’s nuclear programme. Addressing a gathering of Iranian diplomats, Mr Rouhani said: “America should know that peace with Iran is the mother of all peace, and war with Iran is the mother of all wars.”
“You are not in a position to incite the Iranian nation against Iran’s security and interests,” Mr Rouhani added, in an apparent reference to reported efforts by Washington to destabilise Iran’s Islamic government.
Earlier in Washington, US officials familiar with the matter told Reuters that the Trump administration has launched an offensive of speeches and online communications meant to foment unrest and help pressure Iran to end its nuclear programme and its support of militant groups.
Current and former US officials said the campaign paints Iranian leaders in a harsh light, at times using information that is exaggerated or contradicts other official pronouncements, including comments by previous administrations.
The White House declined comment on the campaign. The State Department also declined to comment on the campaign specifically, including on Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s role.