The pullout of non-emergency government staff from Iraq is not a “prelude” to an attack but a precaution, Senator Marco Rubio has explained on his Twitter. Many users, however, perceive it to be laying the groundwork for war.

Rubio took a break from tweeting non-stop in support of the US regime-change activities in Venezuela on Wednesday, shifting his efforts towards another potential flashpoint – Iran.

The senator took to his social media of choice and tried hard to explain why US activities in the Middle East are not actually preparations for war with Tehran. In fact, it’s the Iranians who are seeking to harm Americans, the senator claimed, assuring his followers that Washington won’t start a war, but “it will win one that Iran starts.”

There isn’t going to be an accidental U.S.-#Iran warU.S won’t start a war with #Iran, but it will win one that Iran startsBottom line is this, if #IRGC calls off proxy attacks there will be no war,but if they move forward,Iran will pay a heavy price https://t.co/OWR3m2eSYE — Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) 15 мая 2019 г.

Rubio issued a whole thread on why the US State Department's decision to pull out “non-emergency” diplomatic staff from Iraq should not be perceived as preparation for war. The senator claimed that Tehran is plotting to inflict “mass casualties” on US citizens, using “proxy forces” in Iraq and Yemen, citing “clear and persistent evidence, supported by observable movements on the ground.”

Also on rt.com US orders all non-emergency personnel to leave Iraq

Sadly, Rubio did not provide any actual proof for such an accusation, backing it up only with further allegations. He claimed that Iran spent “years” on building such an attack capability…

URGENT: 2/5 #Iran’s #IRGC has spent years building the capability to attack us using proxy forces. They believe they can inflict casualties on the U.S. without international condemnation because world will see it as the actions of independent Shia groups instead of Iran itself — Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) 15 мая 2019 г.

…As well as honed its internet trolling skills to further influence those, who distrust the US authorities.

URGENT 3/5:The also believe that our internal political divisions combined with the legacy of the #IraqWar will lead a substantial % of Americans to doubt #Iran’s role in such attacks or blame Trump. & they have built propaganda capability to spread narrative in social media — Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) 15 мая 2019 г.

The alleged preparations for attacks on Americans might have been provoked by the recent US designation of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation, Rubio explained. All in all, “Iran need to know that if they are attacked a UNITED States of America will respond decisively,” the senator concluded.

Also on rt.com Baghdad won’t let Washington use its territory in war against Iran – Iraq’s envoy

The Twitter crowd was largely unconvinced by the senator's claims. The mere fact that the top cheerleader of the US-backed coup in Venezuela has now shifted his attention towards Iran prompted many to demand actual proof for the alleged activities attributed to Tehran.

The fact that you’re all suddenly talking about war with Iran is all the proof I need. What’s the threat? Why are we not telling everyone what it supposedly is so we can expose it before the attack? What is the source? If we go to war the blood is on your hands. We won’t forget. — Fred Wellman (@FPWellman) 15 мая 2019 г.

Rubio, you’re the only one pulling US into war with Iran and Venezuela at the same time. 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️ — Lanre (@Cappy_son) 15 мая 2019 г.

Many users pointed out that the whole anti-Iran hysteria looks exactly like the pre-Iraqi war one – just without brandishing any shady test tubes in the UN.

Trumps secret adviser must be Dick Cheney. Iraq 🇮🇶 all over again. What do they have that we want? Hummmm — Matt Kelley (@Mattkelley89) 15 мая 2019 г.

Sounds like “weapons of mass destruction” with about as much evidence. — 👻MeisTerrific👻 (@MeisTerrific) 15 мая 2019 г.

Apparently Marco has forgotten how the Iraq war started. With lies Marco. With lies. — Al Mortlock (@almortlock) 15 мая 2019 г.

Others encouraged Rubio to take part in the war personally, or, at least, send his own children into it instead of just talking tough on Twitter.

Haven't you learned yet that wars are not pissing contests? "Winning" is a difficult concept when evaluated against lives lost, fragile alliances upended, and resources spent. I fear that DJT would like to start a war to shore up his fragile and insatiable ego. Don't enable it. — Brenda (@BrenMCO) 15 мая 2019 г.

These people are so hungry for another war. I guess it's easy when none of them have to make any sacrifices themselves. It's everyone else fighting these forever wars. — OUFENIX (D) (@oufenix) 15 мая 2019 г.

There are several lawmakers like Rubio, @SenTedCruz (who spoke of bombing Middle East targets until sand glowed) etc. born in early 1970s, that were young enough to join military after 9/11, but prefer the tough talk on Twitter and the comfort of Gucci loafers. — Scott Smith (@stampergr) 15 мая 2019 г.

Some users, however, looked deeper into the whole warmongering and suggested that it might be a re-election strategy of Donald Trump, invoking ironically his old tweets accusing then-President Barack Obama of the very same thing.

Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!