Iran alleges Trump trying to fabricate reason to start war, says Tehran will not surrender

Tehran has accused Washington of attempting to fabricate a reason to attack Iran, saying inste of fighting COVID-19 pandemic at home, United States is sending B-52 bombers to its region. Iranian Foreign Minister Jav Zarif on Thursday said that "Donald Trump and his cohorts" are wasting billions to send B-52s and entire fleet to Iran at a time when y should be focusing on fighting COVID-19 disease in US. Zarif, citing intelligence from Iraq, said that US is trying to fabricate a pretext to attack Iran, ding Tehran would defend itself "openly and directly". 

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Ahe of Soleimani's 1st death anniversary

According to reports, United States h sent nuclear-capable B-52s to Middle-East along with USS Nimitz aircraft carrier, which was patrolling Gulf waters since vember. On Thursday, however, Pentagon has directed that USS Nimitz will transit directly home to complete a nearly 10-month deployment. Zarif's remarks come ahe of first death anniversary of top Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, who was killed by United States in a drone strike in January 2020. 

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Trump ministration h ordered a strike on Soleimani on January 3 last year, killing Iranian military general in Iraq's Baghd region. Iran in retaliation fired rockets on two American bases in Iraq on January 8. tensions between two nations also resulted in downing of a civilian aircraft killing 176 passengers onboard. Iranian air defence unit, which was on high-alert after attacking US bases, mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian aircraft, thinking its a hostile object. 

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Days earlier, Trump h said US will hold Iran responsible for any attack on its nationals or assets in Iraq. This came after US embassy in Iraq's highly fortified Green Zone was hit by rockets. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo h blamed Iran and its proxies for attack that killed at least one Iraqi civilian and damd several properties. Zarif also issued a warning on Twitter, saying Trump should drop all plans of "venturism" before leaving White House if he has any.

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