US President Donald Trump backed down after being saying that the military was “cocked and loaded” for a strike against Iran after it shot down a spy drone today.

Iranian authorities said they received a message from the bellicose Mr Trump via Oman about an imminent attack late last night, issuing an ultimatum to get round the table for talks.

Mr Trump apparently insisted that he was “against any war with Iran and wanted to talk to Tehran” as tensions between the two countries continue to escalate.

He confirmed today: “We were cocked & loaded to retaliate last night on 3 different sights [sic] when I asked, how many will die.

“150 people, sir, was the answer from a general. 10 minutes before the strike I stopped it, not ...proportionate to shooting down an unmanned drone. I am in no hurry.”

The US insists that Iran was responsible for an attack on two oil tankers near the strategically important Strait of Hormuz last week, but has provided flimsy evidence to back its claims.

Tehran denies the accusations with the Japanese company that owns one of the stricken tankers also insisting the attack was not carried out by Iranian mines.

It came while Japanese premier Shinzo Abe was in Tehran for talks in an attempt to mediate a resolution to the crisis. 

Speculation followed that the attacks were initiated by the US as a warning to Japan not to continue trading with Iran.

Iran responded to the offer saying Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei opposes any talks with Washington. 

“However, we told the Omani official that any attack against Iran will have regional and international consequences,” Iranian officials said.