Brigadier General Majid Moosavi, commander in Iran’s Revolutionary Guards aerospace force, dismissed the remarks as unrealistic, saying the idea of destroying Iran’s ancient civilisation was “nothing more than an illusion.”

Criticising US leadership, Moosavi said “Hollywood fantasies” had distorted Washington’s perception, contrasting America’s “250-year history” with Iran’s civilisation spanning thousands of years.

He added that threats of large-scale attacks would ultimately endanger US forces rather than weaken Iran.

The response followed Trump’s statement on social media claiming Iran had sought a ceasefire, which he said would only be considered if the Strait of Hormuz was fully reopened.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also echoed the “Stone Age” warning in a separate post.

The conflict, now in its fifth week, began after US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.

In retaliation, Iran has restricted maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route handling nearly 20% of global oil and gas supplies, triggering sharp increases in crude prices and raising concerns in major markets including China and India.