The head of Iran's Revolutionary Guard issued a threat to US President Donald Trump on Thursday, telling him: "We are a nation of martyrdom and we await you".
Maj Gen Qassem Soleimani issued the threat in a week marked by a war of words between the US and Iran.
"As a soldier, it is my duty to respond to Trump's threats... If he wants to use the language of threat...he should talk to me, not to the president," Soleimani was quoted as saying in the city of Hamedan.
_______________
Read more:
Profile: Qassem Soleimani, Iran's shadowy general and spymaster
[ Donald Trump and Mike Pompeo slam 'mafia-like' Iran ]
[ Trump: I could make a ‘real deal’ with Iran ]
Saudi Arabia suspends oil exports through Red Sea lane after Houthi attack
_______________
He also said the Red Sea, a key trade route for oil, was no longer secure with America's presence in the region.
"The Red Sea which was secure is no longer secure with the American presence," the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Quds force said.
Earlier in the week, President Trump responded to Iran's President Hassan Rouhani's threat that "war with Iran is the mother of all wars".
Mr Trump told the Iranian president to "never, ever threaten the United States again", warning of unprecedented "consequences."
Later in the week, Mr Trump struck a more optimistic tone, claiming he could make a "real deal" with Iran.
“Iran is not the same country anymore, that I can say,” Mr Trump said while addressing the VFW National Convention in Kansas City, Missouri. “And we’ll see what happens, but we’re ready to make a real deal, not the deal that was done by the previous administration which was a disaster.”
If you go...
Etihad Airways flies from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur, from about Dh3,600. Air Asia currently flies from Kuala Lumpur to Terengganu, with Berjaya Hotels & Resorts planning to launch direct chartered flights to Redang Island in the near future. Rooms at The Taaras Beach and Spa Resort start from 680RM (Dh597).
The specs
Engine: Two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors
Transmission: two-speed
Power: 671hp
Torque: 849Nm
Range: 456km
Price: from Dh437,900
On sale: now
The specs
Engine: 2-litre 4-cylinder and 3.6-litre 6-cylinder
Power: 220 and 280 horsepower
Torque: 350 and 360Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh136,521 + VAT and Dh166,464 + VAT
On sale: now
Mobile phone packages comparison
Company Profile
Name: Direct Debit System
Started: Sept 2017
Based: UAE with a subsidiary in the UK
Industry: FinTech
Funding: Undisclosed
Investors: Elaine Jones
Number of employees: 8
Mental health support in the UAE
● Estijaba helpline: 8001717
● UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention hotline: 045192519
● UAE Mental health support line: 800 4673 (Hope)
More information at hope.hw.gov.ae
POWERWASH SIMULATOR
Developer: FuturLab
Publisher: Square Enix Collective
Console: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC
Rating: 4/5
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
The specs
Engine: 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 456hp at 5,000rpm
Torque: 691Nm at 3,500rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 14.6L/100km
Price: from Dh349,545
On sale: now
RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES
September 30
South Africa v Australia
Argentina v New Zealand
October 7
South Africa v New Zealand
Argentina v Australia
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent