US threats against Iran a form of 'rhetorical pressure': Analyst

“It seems like at this point, it’s largely a war of diplomacy, a war of rhetoric, a war of media optics,” said Keith Preston, chief editor of AttacktheSystem.com.

“I think the president of the United States doesn’t want to have an actual military conflict with Iran, however, the Americans are trying to use rhetorical pressure on the Iranians,” Preston told Press TV on Tuesday.

“The Iranians are calling the Americans on some of their own rhetorical strategy, and then of course the Americans of course are hitting back by upping the rhetorical game, but it does seem to be a war of words at this point,” he added.

He went on to say, "I project that Iran will come out on top in this particular conflict." 

Tensions have been running high between Tehran and Washington since last year, when Trump unilaterally withdrew the US from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and unleashed illegal sanctions against Iran.

Iran has begun reducing its commitments in the nuclear deal, with the first stage underway with regard to uranium and heavy water stocks.

The White House said Monday that the US policy of maximum pressure on Iran will continue until it changes course.

"Maximum pressure on the Iranian regime will continue until its leaders alter their course of action," said a statement from White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham.

The press secretary’s statement came after Iran increased the level of its low-enriched uranium production to over 300 kilograms.

The move was portrayed by Western media as “breaching the terms of the deal,” disregarding the fact that it was in line with paragraphs 26 and 36 of the 2015 nuclear deal, and had been announced in advance.

Therefore, Tehran notes that the move is “part of our rights as per the JCPOA,” according to Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Trump himself called Tehran's measure as "playing with fire" later in the day.

"They know what they're doing. They know what they're playing with and I think they're playing with fire," he told reporters.

Iran has asserted that it would “reverse” the measure once Europeans start fulfilling their obligations under the deal.