Trump trying to set up an attack: FM
DUBAI: Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has accused US President Donald Trump of attempting to fabricate a pretext to attack Iran, and said Tehran would defend itself forcefully.
Separately, a military adviser to Iran’s supreme leader warned Mr Trump “not to turn the New Year into mourning for Americans”.
Mr Zarif said in a tweet: “Instead of fighting Covid in US, @realDonaldTrump & cohorts waste billions to fly B52s & send armadas to OUR region. Intelligence from Iraq indicate plot to FABRICATE pretext for war.”
The US military flew two nuclearcapable B-52 bombers to the Middle East in a message of deterrence to Iran on Wednesday, but the bombers have since left the region.
The Pentagon announced on Thursday that the Nimitz aircraft carrier, which was off the coast of Somalia, would be heading back to its home port. Previously operating in the Middle East, some US officials said the move could be seen an attempt to reduce tensions in the region.
In recent days there has been increased concern and vigilance about what Iranian-backed forces might do in the lead up to the anniversary of a Jan 3 US drone strike in Iraq that killed top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, the official said.
Washington blames Iran-backed militia for regular rocket attacks on US facilities in Iraq, including near the embassy. Iran is preparing to hold events marking the anniversary of Soleimani’s killing.