India, April 5 -- Iran on Saturday brushed aside an ultimatum from US President Donald Trump, who had warned of severe consequences if Tehran failed to reach a peace deal and reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.

Calling the threat "helpless, nervous, unbalanced and stupid," Iranian officials said Washington's warnings reflected desperation rather than strength.

'Gates of hell will open'

In a sharply worded response, General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters echoed Trump's own rhetoric, warning the United States of severe consequences.

"The gates of hell will open for you," he said, cautioning that any attack on Iran's infrastructure would trigger "devastating and continuous" strikes on U.S....