Iran starts no wars, but teaches lessons to those who do: Zarif

He said Iran has friends, adding that no one can have millions of "proxies".

Trump's Wednesday claimed in a Twitter message that he believes "Iran or its proxies" are planning an attack against US troops in Iraq.

Trump has not added any pieces of evidence about his claim.

"Unlike the US—which surreptitiously lies, cheats and assassinates—Iran only acts in self-defense. Openly," Zarif stressed.

The flights of US warplanes, helicopters, and drones have increased over Baghdad during the past days.

This is while Iraqi Caretaker Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi, in his remarks on 30 March released to Iraqi media, noted that he was concerned about reports of unauthorized flights near Iraqi military bases. He also warned of what he called a "retaliatory military action without permission" in his country and condemned it in advance.

Speaking about recent US military movements in Iraq, Iranian Foreign Ministery's spokesman also said these acts are against what has been ratified in Iraq’s parliament. It is a violation of the sovereignty of Iraq. All these movements are threatening and endangering the region.

Following the assassination of Lieutenant General Qasem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Mohandis on Iraqi soil by the US government's order, Iran responded by firing missiles at a military base where U.S. troops were stationed.

Though Trump said in the hours after the strikes that there were no casualties, the Pentagon has since confirmed that dozens of soldiers suffered traumatic brain injuries in the attack.

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