Iran commander: If US makes a move we'll hit them in the head

Amirali Hajizadeh, head of the Guards' aerospace division, told the Iranian Students' News Agency: "An aircraft carrier that has at least 40 to 50 planes on it and 6,000 forces gathered within it was a serious threat for us in the past but now... the threats have switched to opportunities."

He added: "If [the Americans] make a move we will hit them in the head."

His words come after the US sent an aircraft carrier and B-52 bombers to address what president Donald Trump described as "clear indications" of threats to its troops in the region.

The US also approved a new deployment of patriot missiles to the Middle East on Friday.

Mr Trump, who has imposed sanctions on Iran, has urged the country's leaders to talk with him about ending their nuclear programme. He said he would not rule out military action if they refused.

However, others in Iran have dismissed the US move as "psychological warfare" designed to intimidate, as the USS Abraham Lincoln was replacing another carrier that left the Gulf last month.