Iran's Rouhani Threatens US: We Will Hit Back If You Attack

Iran's president says the Islamic Republic does not seek war with the U.S., but will give "a crushing response" if it is attacked.

President Hassan Rouhani made the comment Wednesday night as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stood by him.

Rouhani also said that Japan wanted to continue to buy Iranian oil, though Tokyo has stopped over American sanctions.

Rouhani added: "Whenever the economic war stops, we will see a very positive development in the region and the world."

The Japanese leader is in Tehran on a mission to calm tensions between the U.S. and Iran.

The Trump administration has re-imposed heavy sanctions on Iran after deciding to withdraw from the landmark 2015 nuclear deal a year ago. The U.S. recently deployed an aircraft carrier and B-52 bombers to the Persian Gulf.