Amid the ongoing US-Iran talks over Tehran's nuclear programme, President Donald Trump on Tuesday called Iran the "most destructive" force in the Middle East.
Threatening Iran with major consequences, Trump said if Tehran rejects the olive branch, the US will have no choice but to "inflict maximum pressure".
"Choice is Iran's to make...Iran offer will not last forever...Would drive Iranian oil exports to zero," said Trump in Riyadh.
Iran was the "biggest and most destructive force in the Middle East" and it caused "unthinkable suffering in Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, Iraq, Yemen and beyond," Trump said.
A fourth round of talks between the US and Iran took place in Oman in order to discuss Tehran's nuclear programme. The US has insisted that Iran must scrap its uranium enrichment to prevent the country from developing nuclear weapons. Iran on several occasions stressed that it did not intend to give up the programme.
Trump warned of military action against Iran’s nuclear facilities if Tehran did not agree to drop its uranium enrichment programme. Also, the US has been imposing sanctions on Iran.
Meanwhile, Iran on Tuesday said that the recent round of talks with the US were "useful". Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told local media, "In recent days they (the US) issued sanctions on Iran, this is completely incompatible with the process of negotiations... This will definitely affect our positions."
Baghaei's statement coincided with Trump's Middle East visit. After Saudi Arabia, he will be visiting Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.