Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif accused Donald Trump on Thursday of trying to fabricate a pretext to attack Iran, and said Tehran would defend itself strongly.
Separately, a military adviser to Iran’s supreme leader warned Trump “not to turn the New Year into mourning for Americans”.
Zarif said in a tweet: “Instead of fighting Covid in the US, @realDonaldTrump & cohorts spend billions to fly B52s and send guns to OUR region. Iraq’s intelligence indicates conspiracy to MAKE pretext for war.
The United States military flew two nuclear-powered B-52 bombers to the Middle East in a message of deterrence to Iran on Wednesday, but the bombers have already left the region.
The Pentagon announced on Thursday that the aircraft carrier Nimitz, which was off the coast of Somalia, would be returning to its home port. The aircraft carrier had previously operated in the Middle East and some American officials said the move could be seen as an attempt to ease tensions in the region.
In recent days, concern and vigilance over what Iran-backed forces could do before the anniversary of a US drone attack in Iraq on January 3 that killed Iranian general Qassem Suleimani, the official said, has increased.
Washington blames the Iran-backed militia for regular rocket attacks on US installations in Iraq, including near the embassy. No known group supported by Iran has claimed responsibility.
Iran is preparing to hold events that mark the anniversary of Suleimani’s death.
“Iran does not seek war, but it will OPEN and DIRECTLY defend its people, security and vital interests,” wrote Zarif.
Hossein Dehghan, a military adviser to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said on Twitter: “I saw in the news that the Americans are on alert for fear of revenge (for the death of Suleimani) and have launched two B-52 bombers over the Persian Gulf. “
“All of its military bases in the region are covered by our missiles. I advise the evictee of the White House (Trump) not to turn the New Year into a mourning for Americans, ”said Dehghan, a former defense minister.
Earlier this week, an American military official close to the situation told reporters that the United States detected signs that Iran had prepared itself for possible attacks on American targets or allies in Iraq or elsewhere in the Middle East.
Trump recently cited the “conversation” that Iran can attack. Days after a December 20 rocket attack on the United States embassy complex in Baghdad by Iranian-backed Shiite militia groups, Trump tweeted that Iran was on the alert.
“Iran-friendly health advice: if an American is killed, I will hold Iran accountable. Think about it,” Trump wrote on December 23. He added: “We have heard rumors of additional attacks against Americans in Iraq.”