US President Donald Trump has engaged in high-stakes verbal sparring against Iranian President Hassan Rouhani Trump has made Iran a favorite target since his rapprochement with nuclear-armed North Korea BEIRUT: Iran will respond with equal countermeasures if the United States tries to block its oil exports, Tehran’s foreign ministry spokesman said Tuesday. “If America wants to take a serious step in this direction it will definitely be met with a reaction and equal countermeasures from Iran,” foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi was quoted as saying on state media.