A senior Iranian cleric warned that Tehran could target US-linked investments across the Middle East if Mr Trump authorises military action against the Islamic Republic. The threat comes after the US president issued fresh warnings to Iran, demanding an end to the execution of demonstrators and warning of severe consequences if the killings continue. Mr Trump confirmed that a major US naval force, including an aircraft carrier and guided missile destroyers, is currently moving towards the region, but said he hoped it would not be used. A top Iranian hardliner, Mohammad Javad Haj Ali Akbari said: “The one trillion dollars you have invested in the region is under the watch of our missiles.” Fresh fears are emerging that the Iranian regime is continuing to kill protesters under the cover of a nationwide internet blackout.

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President Trump said he had received assurances that the killing had stopped earlier this month,

Iran’s Prosecutor General Mohammad Movahedi-Azad has firmly denied the US President’s claims that he had “stopped 837 hangings” in the country, however.

Dismissing the allegation, Movahedi-Azad said:”This claim is completely false; no such number exists, nor has the judiciary made any such decision.”

There are suggestions that Iran’s Foreign Ministry, led by Abbas Araghchi, may have offered that figure to Trump.

“We have a separation of powers, the responsibilities of each institution are clearly defined,” he added “and we do not, under any circumstances, take instructions from foreign powers.”

The assertions come after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi claimed last week: “There is no plan for hanging at all.”

British Typhoon fighter jets have been deployed to the Middle East as tensions with Iran continue to escalate.

The RAF has sent four Typhoons to Qatar, just across the Persian Gulf from Iran, in what the Ministry of Defence described as a “defensive” move.

The jets are capable of carrying short and long-range guided missiles, including advanced Storm Shadow weapons.

An MoD spokesperson said the deployment was made at the request of the Qatari government and reflects the UK’s commitment to regional security.

An MoD spokesman said: “The deployment, upon invitation of the Qatari government, is in a defensive capacity and builds on the UK’s established defence partnership with Qatar and reflects the UK Government’s commitment to collaborating with international partners to maintain regional stability.”

Mr Trump’s pledge came just hours after establishing the Board of Peace at Davos, as Mr Trump confirmed a US armada was heading towards Iran but said he hoped it would not be used.

He added: “We have a big force going toward Iran. I’d rather not see anything happen – but we are watching them very closely.”