Pyongyang, Aug 10 (IANS): North Korea on Thursday warned that it was preparing four intermediate-range missiles (IRBM) to be launched towards the US territory of Guam, according to a state-media report.

"The Strategic Force of the KPA (Korean People's Army) is seriously examining the plan for an enveloping strike at Guam through simultaneous fire of four Hwasong-12 IRBMs in order to interdict the enemy forces on major military bases on Guam and to signal a crucial warning to the US," the official KCNA news agency quoted General Kim Rak-Gyom, a KPA top commander as saying.

"The KPA Strategic Force will finally complete the plan until mid-August and report it to the commander-in-chief (Kim Jong-un) and wait for his order," the General added.

Tensions between Pyongyang and Washington have escalated following the North Korean regime's threat to attack Guam and a strong warning by US President Donald Trump, reports Efe news.

Trump warned on Tuesday that if Pyongyang does not stop threatening the US, it "will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen".

The Pentagon then decided to send two strategic B-1B bombers, which are stationed in Guam, to the outskirts of the Korean peninsula in response to the threats.

North Korea's top general also criticised Trump, saying he "again let out a load of nonsense about 'fire and fury,' and failed "to grasp the ongoing grave situation".

"We keep closely watching the speech and behaviour of the US," the statement added.