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But as with many of Trump's knee jerk proclamations, his threats satisfy short-term political goals but appear to contradict long-term concepts of US interests.
For 40 years, the clerical regime in Iran has anchored its legitimacy on the idea it faces an existential threat from the United States. Not much that Trump could say would substantiate that claim more perfectly than a vow to desecrate ancient treasures of the Persian civilization.
"Do you still want to listen to the clowns advising you?"
Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif asked Trump: "Do you still want to listen to the clowns advising you on our region?" in a tweet storm Monday emphasizing the massive turnout of mourners in Tehran for slain general Soleimani
"Have you EVER seen such a sea of humanity in your life @realdonaldtrump?" he added.
What the rest of the world is saying
Here's how the rest of the world is responding to these uncertain times:
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said states have a "right to take action in self defense," referencing the US drone strike, which the Trump administration has justified as pre-empting an "imminent" threat.
China's UN Ambassador Zhang Jun said the US violated basic norms of international relations by killing Soleimani. "We urge the United States not to abuse any further use of force," he said.
Trump "threatens with chaos, but we will respond with legal action," Iraqi Shiite lawmaker Anaam al-Khizaee said in response to Trump's Sunday threat to impose sanctions on Iraq, a US ally, if US troops are expelled from the country.
Iraqi Prime Minister Adeil Abdul-Mahdi met with the US ambassador and stressed the need for joint action to implement the withdrawal of foreign forces, according to a statement from his office, CNN's Mohammed Tawfeeq reports from Baghdad.
Iran-backed militia Kataib Hezbollah threatened to cut the Gulf oil flow to America after Trump threatened sanctions on Iraq.
Israel is not "the main story," said Israel Defense Forces Maj. Gen. Herzl Halevi in Tel Aviv, no doubt with some relief. Nevertheless, Israeli leaders should "watch closely" developments in Iran, he said.
The Russian Foreign Ministry blamed the US for the "crisis" of the nuclear deal and said that attempts to "shift responsibility on Iran" will not "succeed". Russian and Iranian military leaders also spoke on the phone to "prevent escalation," per Russian state news agency TASS.
A Saudi prince, the kingdom's Deputy Defense Minister Khaled bin Salman, met with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in DC to urge "restraint" and "de-escalation," a Saudi government source told CNN's Nic Robertson in Riyadh. "We don't want chaos in the region. We have been a target before. We could be a target again," the source said.