Iran has warned Donald Trump he could be “eliminated” in what appeared to be a threat to assassinate the US President.

Ali Larijani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, reposted on X a message Mr Trump shared on Truth Social adding what appeared to be a threat to the U.S. President.

Larijani said: “The Ashura-loving nation of Iran does not fear your paper threats. Even those greater than you could not eliminate the Iranian nation. Watch out for yourself—lest you be eliminated!”

This came after Mr Trump wrote that Iran could be hit “20 times harder than they have been hit thus far” if the country “does anything that stops the flow of oil within the Strait of Hormuz”.

He said: “If Iran does anything that stops the flow of Oil within the Strait of Hormuz, they will be hit by the United States of America TWENTY TIMES HARDER than they have been hit thus far. Additionally, we will take out easily destroyable targets that will make it virtually impossible for Iran to ever be built back, as a Nation, again — Death, Fire, and Fury will reign upon them.

“But I hope, and pray, that it does not happen! This is a gift from the United States of America to China, and all of those Nations that heavily use the Hormuz Strait. Hopefully, it is a gesture that will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your attention to this matter.”

Oil prices fell sharply on Tuesday (March 10) as the war continues. Brent crude plunged more than 6% in early trading after fears of a prolonged Middle East supply crisis began to ease. In Asian trading, Brent crude dropped to around $92 a barrel, while US benchmark West Texas Intermediate slid to roughly $88.

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Monday saw the price of oil achieve its biggest single-day gain in six years, with Brent crude surging by more than 20%.

Iran has also warned that “not one litre of oil” will be allowed to leave the Middle East if US and Israeli attacks continue, and the warning came after Tehran launched a deadly strike on Bahrain, hitting a residential building in the capital Manama and killing a 29-year-old woman. Eight others were injured.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered to supply oil and gas to European countries as the war in Iran causes prices to rocket, despite heavy sanctions imposed after the Ukraine invasion. Witht his move, the Russian leader has appeared to seize on global economic concerns about the blocked Strait of Hormuz.