Trump warns Iran of ‘great’ consequences over threats

Washington: US President Donald Trump warned that Iran would “suffer greatly” if it was behind threats that prompted Washington to reposition military assets from Britain, while saying he remained open to direct talks with Tehran.

Trump said the US had received threats and moved bombers as a precaution. Asked whether Iran had brought combat drones into Britain, he said he could not confirm it but warned that Iran would face serious consequences if it was responsible.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington intended to honour its defence and security commitments to Saudi Arabia as Saudi-backed Yemeni forces counter a Houthi offensive.

Rubio said Saudi Arabia had been attacked by the Houthis and had the right to defend itself, but declined to say whether the US would provide air support. He described the fighting as a counteroffensive to retake territory previously seized by the Houthis near a strategically important waterway.

Separately, the US, Canada and eight Latin American and Caribbean countries accused Iran and its proxies of terrorist activities and other “malign” operations in the Western Hemisphere.

The countries alleged Iranian-linked activities included lethal plotting, illicit fundraising, political interference and foreign influence operations. They pledged greater coordination to counter such activities.

The joint declaration followed a US-Paraguay counterterrorism forum held last month. The statement was signed by the US, Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru and Trinidad and Tobago.