'Iran created the threat and the U.S. military eliminated it to protect civilian mariners, commercial shipping, and the free flow of global commerce,' CENTCOM said.

'We're going to beat the f---ing s--- out of them,' Trump warned.

Israel has shifted refuelers that had been stationed at Ben-Gurion Airport to southern Israeli bases and Ramon Airport to avoid disruptions to international flights.

The threats come as Trump says he is nearing a decision on whether to dramatically escalate the campaign.