Trump goals to manufacture ‘pretext for war’: Iran’s Foreign Minister

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Thursday accused outgoing US President Donald Trump of aiming to manufacture a “pretext for war” as tensions mount between the 2 international locations.His remarks come forward of the primary anniversary of the US killing of high Iranian navy commander Qasem Soleimani in a drone strike in Baghdad on January 3.US plane provider USS Nimitz has been patrolling Gulf waters since late November and two American B-52 bombers just lately overflew the area.Also Read: No purpose given for Trump reducing quick his Florida trip amid tensions with Iran“Instead of fighting (the novel coronavirus) in US, @realDonaldTrump & cohorts waste billions to fly B52s & send armadas to OUR region,” Zarif wrote on Twitter.“Intelligence from Iraq indicate plot to FABRICATE pretext for war,” he added.Trump ordered a drone strike on January 3 this yr to kill Soleimani close to Baghdad’s worldwide airport.Days later, Iran launched a volley of missiles at Iraqi bases housing US and different coalition troops, with Trump refraining from any additional navy response.“Iran doesn’t seek war but will OPENLY & DIRECTLY defend its people, security & vital interests,” Zarif mentioned.Trump mentioned final week mentioned he would maintain “Iran responsible” for any deadly assault on Americans in Iraq after accusing Tehran of being behind a rocket strike on the US embassy in Baghdad on December 20.Zarif on the time warned the US president towards any “adventurism” earlier than leaving the White House on January 20, and mentioned “putting your own citizens at risk abroad won’t divert attention from catastrophic failures at home”.The US embassy in Iraq and different overseas navy and diplomatic websites have been focused by dozens of rockets and roadside bomb assaults since later 2019.Trump unilaterally withdrew the US from a landmark nuclear take care of Iran and world powers in 2018 and launched a “maximum pressure” marketing campaign towards Tehran, reimposing and reinforcing crippling sanctions.The two international locations have twice come to the brink of conflict since June 2019, particularly following the killing of Soleimani.