IRAN has threatened the US with a “firm and immediate” response if Donald Trump bombs the Islamic state in response to stalling nuclear deal talks.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry said it sent the note after Trump vowed to bomb Iran “like never before” if the regime didn't strike up a new nuclear deal.
The note was handed to a Swiss diplomat by an Iranian spokesperson, who condemned and dismissed Trump's statements on the nuclear deal.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry said on X: “During the meeting, the Iranian diplomat condemned and dismissed the provocative statements that violate international law and the UN Charter.”
The Ministry added that their diplomat “formally delivered Iran’s official warning note” which emphasised Iran’s “firm and immediate resolve to respond decisively to any threat”.
The Swiss diplomat ensured that the letter would be passed on to Washington, according to the Ministry's statement.
President Trump previously slapped Tehran with a chilling two-month deadline when he sent a letter on March 7 urging Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to engage in negotiations.
He also warned of the devastating consequences if Iran were to reject a US offer and advance its nuclear programme.
But Iran rejected the US proposal to engage in direct talks with the US over the weekend.
And this caused a furious Trump to rip into the regime and threaten to strike Iran.
Trump told NBC: “If they don't make a deal, there will be bombing – it will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before.”
The threats also came as B-2 stealth bombers were deployed to the Chagos Islands as a stark warning to Iran.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei then responded to Trump's threat, saying the US would receive a “strong blow” if they decide to act.
The Supreme Leader said in a speech: “The enmity from the US and Israel has always been there.
“They threaten to attack us, which we don't think is very probable, but if they commit any mischief, they will surely receive a strong reciprocal blow.
“And if they are thinking of causing sedition inside the country, as in past years, the Iranian people themselves will deal with them.”
As Khamenei delivered these remarks, the crowd erupted into chants of “Death to America.”
The leader also held an assault rifle in his hand – repeating a tradition from the 1980s, when clerics often appeared armed during sermons following the establishment of the Islamic Republic.
The war of words comes as the US amassed at least five B-2 strategic bombers on the British island of Diego Garcia – all aimed at Iran.
Iran is over 2,300 miles from where the bombers are stationed – but the B-2s have a massive 6,900-mile range.
The heavy bombers can obliterate targets with their huge 25-tonne bomb payload per jet.
It had been thought the five B-2 Spirit bombers were aimed at Yemen and the Houthi terror group after Trump launched strikes against them two weeks ago.
Meanwhile, reports also emerged revealing Tehran's preparation for a potential US strike.
Iran is said to be readying itself by setting up missiles with the capability to strike US positions, The Tehran Times revealed.
A significant number of these weapons are located in underground facilities scattered across the country, designed to withstand airstrikes.
Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday rejected direct negotiations with the US.
The president said: “We don’t avoid talks – it’s the breach of promises that has caused issues for us so far.
“[The US] must prove that they can build trust.”
Pezeshkian suggested that indirect negotiations with the Trump administration were still possible.
