World News – AU – Iran fears Trump is preparing the attack in the final weeks of office

Tehran says it will vigorously defend itself if tensions rise ahead of the anniversary of the Suleimani murder

Iran fears that Donald Trump is preparing to order a military attack on his regional interests in the last three weeks of his administration and warns that he would take revenge on US bases in the Middle East.

Over the past week, concerns have increased in Tehran that the US president might approve a strike against Iranian proxy groups operating in Iraq, or a wider attack against Iran, an enemy his administration has tried, nearly four Years of economic economy break through sanctions and military muscles.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif accused Trump on Thursday of creating a pretext for an attack while the time for his only term is running out. Zarif’s remarks followed the presence of two US B-52 bombers in the area earlier this week and an aircraft carrier being transferred to the Indian Ocean.

« Instead of fighting Covid in the US, @realDonaldTrump is wasting & billions flying B52. & is sending armadas to our region, « Zarif said in a tweet. “Iraqi intelligence agencies point to a conspiracy to create the pretext for war. Iran does not seek war, but will openly defend its people & DIRECTLY, security & vital interests. ”

Throughout Trump’s tenure, Iraq has been the site of direct and proxy clashes between Tehran and Washington. A year ago, on Sunday, a US drone murdered the powerful Iranian General Qassem Suleimani outside the Baghdad airport, and Iran launched up to 30 ballistic missiles at US bases in central Iraq and the northern city of Erbil. The hotspots have brought the two sides closer to an extended confrontation than ever before in the last few decades.

Hossein Dehghan, an adviser to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, echoed the warnings: « I saw on the news that the Americans are on alert for fear of revenge (for Suleimani’s murder) and two B-52 bombers flew over the Persian Gulf.

“All of their military bases in the region are covered by our missiles. I advise the White House displaced person (Trump) not to turn the New Year into mourning for Americans, ”he said.

The Supreme Commander of the Paramilitary Revolutionary Guard added that Iran was fully prepared to respond. “Today we have no problem, worry or concern about encountering any forces. We will give our last words to our enemies on the battlefield, ”said Gen Hossein Salami at a ceremony at Tehran University on the anniversary of Suleimani’s death.

Suleimani’s successor, Brigadier General Esmail Ghaani, warned at the ceremony that « freedom seekers » in the US could take revenge on the attack and told the US that « your own homes may be those who want to respond to the crime « that you have committed ».

In the year since Suleimani’s death, a series of rocket strikes against Baghdad’s Green Zone, where the US embassy is located, have sparked military threats from Trump and outgoing Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who has spearheaded attempts to overthrow the US Regime through a so-called « maximum pressure » policy of sanctions.

In the past decade, almost all missile attacks in the Green Zone have been carried out by Iranian Allied militia groups. As Trump’s tenure nears its end, the attacks have taken on greater significance. The proxies are determined to create an impression of resilience and defiance, and Trump wants to avoid leaving office under fire.

Iraqi militias are also involved in a power struggle with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, a US ally that Trump officials have relied on to crack down on militia group leaders. The Iraqi armed forces have at times arrested missile crews but have not received any convictions. They prefer not to act directly against their powerful neighbor, who is significantly influencing events in Iraq.

Officials in Baghdad fear militia groups may attempt to mark the first anniversary of Suleimani’s death and that of a second Iranian allied military leader, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who was killed in the same strike. « You have received messages, » said an official close to Iraqi President Barham Salih. “You are being watched very closely. ”

A US official informed reporters earlier this week in Washington that preparations were being made in Iraq for a militia strike. In the days leading up to Christmas, Trump appeared to be alerting the Iraqi militias. “Some friendly health advice to Iran: If an American is killed, I will hold Iran accountable. Think about it, ”he wrote on Jan.. December.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon said Thursday it would withdraw the aircraft carrier Nimitz and its support ships from the coast of the Horn of Africa, where it was stationed after being ordered back to the region late last year. The announcement was seen as a conciliatory sign that Washington was ready to ease tension.

Iran, Qasem Soleimani, Iraq, Donald Trump, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Mohammad Javad Zarif, Middle East