DONALD Trump said the US could end its military campaign in Iran “within two weeks” but only after the country was “put into the stone ages”.
His comments come as Iran threatens to strike UK bases in retaliation to the ongoing US bombardment of the region.
On Tuesday, President Trump said “We’ll be leaving [Iran] very soon”.
“Within two weeks, maybe two weeks, maybe three weeks,” he said from the Oval Office.
He claimed Tehran did not have to make a deal with his administration for the fighting to end.
“Iran doesn’t have to make a deal, no,” he said ominously.
But, the president said his military would only reduce operations in the Middle East once Iran was “put into the stone ages”, leaving them unable to acquire or build a nuclear weapon in the near future.
“Then we’ll leave,” he said.
Following Trump’s declaration, Seyed Ali Mousavi, Tehran’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, said his nation was considering strikes on British bases after it lent assistance to the US.
“This is a very important matter we are considering,” he told Times Radio.
“This is a very important matter for our self-defence.
“The military sections of our system will decide appropriately.”
Mousavi said the decision would hinge on the UK’s activity.
“Every option should be considered,” he said.
“We are very careful and delicate [about] how to defend ourselves.”
Sir Keir Starmer previously refused to give the US permission to use the bases.
But he later back-flipped on the decision when Tehran blockaded the Strait of Hormuz.
More troops are set to be deployed to the region to defend key partners from Tehran’s growing threat.
The month-long conflict has reordered the Middle East, and disrupted global energy markets.
Despite allowing the US to use military bases in the region, Starmer has reiterated his pledge to not involve the UK in a potential ground invasion of Iran.
The refusal has left Trump irate.
He blasted the UK for refusing to help in the “decapitation of Iran”, telling Britain to “get your own oil”.
Britain’s last known jet fuel shipment from the Middle East will reportedly arrive in 48 hours as supplies dry up and alarms are raised over shortages.
However, Trump has not sympathised with the UK’s plight, telling Starmer he will have to source his own oil from the Persian Gulf.
In a fiery Truth Social post, he wrote: “All of those countries that can’t get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you.
“Number 1, buy from the U.S. we have plenty.
“Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT.
“You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us.
“Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!”
Just last week, former military chiefs warned that Britain would be vulnerable against a potential Iranian missile attack.
The Islamic Republic launched two strikes at Diego Garcia – the joint British-American base in the Indian Ocean – in early March.
One was intercepted by a US warship and the second failed in flight in what was Tehran’s first confirmed use of long-range ballistic missiles.
Britain would be dependent on Nato allies in Europe to protect it from ballistic strikes by Iran due to its lack of anti-missile defences.
Iran’s blockade of the Strait has caused global energy prices to skyrocket while Trump has called on Nato allies to help reopen it.
