Iranian President Hassan Rouhani warns President Trump about 'mother of all wars

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani warned President Donald Trump on Sunday that hostile polices against Tehran are not advisable because “war with Iran is the mother of all wars,” Reuters news reported.

But Rouhani did not rule out the possibility of peace between both nations.

What is prompting this dialog?

Trump’s decision to withdraw the U.S. from a 2015 international deal involving Iran’s nuclear program could have an impact. Iran faces the possibility of more U.S. pressure and “looming sanctions,” according to the report.

While speaking to a group of Iranian diplomats, Rouhani said, according to Iranian media.  “Mr. Trump, don’t play with the lion’s tail, this would only lead to regret."

“America should know that peace with Iran is the mother of all peace, and war with Iran is the mother of all wars,” Rouhani said in published reports.

“You are not in a position to incite the Iranian nation against Iran’s security and interests,” he added.

His comment was likely referring to any Washington efforts to destabilize Iran’s Islamic government.

The Trump administration launched a series of speeches and online communications intended to stir up unrest and place pressure on Iran to end both its nuclear program and support of militant groups, the report stated.

The campaign painted Iranian leaders in a harsh light and used information that “is exaggerated or contradicts other official pronouncements, including comments by previous administrations,” according to the report.

What about oil?

Rouhani dismissed U.S. threats to halt Iranian oil exports. Iran has a dominant position in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, a main oil shipping waterway, he said.

“Anyone who understands the rudiments of politics doesn’t say ‘we will stop Iran’s oil exports’...we have been the guarantor of the regional waterway’s security throughout history,” Rouhani said through the “semi-official” Iranian Students News Agency, Reuters reported.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei supported Rouhani’s suggestion that Iran could block Gulf oil exports if its own exports are halted, Reuters reported.