The Iranian ambassador to Nigeria, Gholamreza Mahdavi Raja, has strongly condemned what he described as coordinated military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel, claiming that the attacks killed schoolgirls and targeted civilian infrastructure. Speaking with reporters in Abuja, he said the strikes came at a time when diplomatic discussions were still ongoing between Tehran and Washington, making the military action particularly alarming.
In his statement, titled From Diplomatic Engagement to Open Aggression: Iran Under Direct Attack by the United States and the Zionist Regime, Raja explained that Iran had been engaging in dialogue with the United States in an effort to reduce tensions. He argued that the sudden strikes disrupted those diplomatic efforts and sent a worrying message about the future of negotiations in resolving international disputes. He described the attacks as unprovoked and said they represented a shift from diplomacy to military confrontation.
Raja also pointed to the timing of the strikes, saying they occurred on the tenth day of Ramadan and just before Nowruz, the Iranian New Year. He said launching attacks during such significant cultural and religious periods deepened the emotional and humanitarian impact of the incident. According to him, the operation struck several civilian locations during its early stages, including educational facilities.
He claimed that in the city of Minab, a girls’ primary school was heavily damaged, with around 200 students reportedly killed or injured. He described the targeting of schools and children as a serious violation of international humanitarian law. The ambassador expressed anger over what he called the deliberate nature of the attacks, stressing that civilian protection should remain a global priority even during periods of conflict.
The ambassador further alleged that the operation included an attack aimed at Iran’s top leadership, which he described as an assassination of a respected national figure. He said such actions represent a breach of international norms and could encourage further instability in global security relations. He also warned that continued military aggression could weaken international diplomatic systems and push countries away from negotiation-based solutions.
Raja referenced Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter, which restricts the use of force against the political independence or territorial integrity of any country. While reaffirming Iran’s support for peaceful dispute resolution, he also emphasized that nations have the right to defend themselves when under attack. He said Iran would continue to protect its sovereignty and national interests in a lawful and measured way.
He ended by warning that silence from the international community could encourage further violence and weaken global legal standards. He said Iran remains determined and resilient despite the losses reported from the strikes, insisting that the country would continue defending its people and territory while calling for global diplomatic intervention.
