President Trump tweets that 'Iran or its proxies' are planning a 'sneak attack' on US forces in Iraq

President Donald Trump reported in a tweet Wednesday afternoon that "Iran or its proxies" are preparing to launch a "sneak attack" on U.S. troops or assets stationed in Iraq.

Trump also warned the Iranian government and its partners in the region that if such an attack were to take place, the U.S. would retaliate.

"If this happens, Iran will pay a very heavy price, indeed!" the president wrote.

In the tweet, Trump did not cite any specific evidence or elaborate on the details of the alleged forthcoming attack.

According to the Washington Post, "Iran-backed militias are becoming more audacious in attacking U.S. personnel in Iraq, with rocket strikes on military bases occurring more frequently and, for the first time, in broad daylight."

The Post added that U.S. officials have been receiving reports of "imminent" attacks on U.S.-linked facilities in the country on almost a daily basis.

Last week, the U.S. deployed Patriot air defense systems to an Iraqi military base as a precaution against Iranian-backed militia attacks, the Middle East Eye reported.

The two countries scuffled in early January when the U.S. launched a rocket strike that killed Iranian terrorist military leader Qassem Soleimani. In retaliation, Iran launched missile strikes on numerous Iraqi military facilities housing U.S. troops.