….says Nigerians in Iran are safe
By Emmanuel Emeka, Abuja
The Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Nigeria, Gholamreza Mahdavi Raja, has urged the international community to condemn what he described as military aggression by the United States and Israel, warning that such actions threaten global peace and violate international law.
Mahdavi Raja spoke during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, where he addressed the escalating tensions involving Iran and accused the two countries of launching attacks on Iranian territory.
According to the envoy, the alleged strikes occurred during a significant religious period for Iranians — the tenth day of Ramadan and the approach of the Iranian New Year — which he said showed disregard for humanitarian and moral considerations.
He claimed that several civilian locations, including hospitals, schools and residential areas, were affected during the attacks.
Among the incidents cited by the ambassador was the bombing of a girls’ school in Minab, which he said resulted in the deaths of 167 students.
Mahdavi Raja said Iran had been engaged in diplomatic negotiations before the attacks occurred, adding that the country was pursuing peaceful engagement when the alleged bombardment began.
He said, “This atrocity is not merely a military operation; it is a flagrant violation of Article 2, paragraph 4 of the UN Charter, which explicitly prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity and political sovereignty of any state. Targeting children in a school is not a wartime accident; it is an unmistakable war crime.”
“We were negotiating. And all of a sudden, we faced bombardment and aggression,” he said.
The ambassador stressed that Iran’s response would be guided by international law, particularly Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, which recognises a nation’s right to self-defence.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran will defend itself against armed aggression. Our defensive measures are exercised strictly within this legal and rightful framework,” he said.
Mahdavi Raja also raised concerns about U.S. military bases located in parts of the Persian Gulf region, alleging that some of the facilities were used in operations targeting Iran.
“Some Persian Gulf countries host U.S. military bases that are being used to attack Iran. It is our legitimate right to defend ourselves and target those bases. We do not attack your cities or infrastructure. We only attack the bases used against us,” he said.
He warned that the current situation could have wider implications for global security, suggesting that other nations might face similar threats in the future if the international community fails to act.
“After Iran, I promise you, after Iran will be another country. It’s not the end of the story. It will be repeated. For another country. Maybe Cuba. Maybe, I don’t know, Iraq. Maybe other countries in the region,” he said.
He further cautioned that no nation could assume it was immune from potential attacks.
“None of the countries have a safe zone in the future… Who can make a guarantee that country will not be the next?” he asked.
Mahdavi Raja urged member states of the United Nations to take a firm stance against what he described as violations of international law, warning that silence could embolden further aggression.
“The Iranian people will not submit to aggression. We will defend our legitimate rights, while continuing to support a just and peaceful order based on respect for international law. The world cannot remain silent in the face of such violations,” he said.
The envoy also addressed speculation surrounding leadership succession in Iran following reports of the assassination of the country’s Supreme Leader, stating that discussions were ongoing.
“We have many options. We are thinking about it,” he said.
On the safety of Nigerians living in Iran, the ambassador reassured that there had been no reported casualties involving Nigerian citizens.
He said diplomatic relations between Tehran and Abuja remained strong across sectors such as politics, agriculture, education, energy and industry.
“So far, we have not received any reports regarding casualties or injuries among Nigerian citizens in Tehran, Qom, or other cities. They are secure… Be assured about your citizens in Iran,” he said.
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