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The Federal Government of Nigeria has strongly condemned Israel’s preemptive military strike on Iran, describing it as a dangerous escalation that threatens regional and global stability.
In a statement issued on Saturday, June 14, by Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria expressed deep concern over the intensifying hostilities that erupted on Friday following Israel’s coordinated attacks targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities and military leadership.
According to Israeli defense officials, the strikes resulted in the deaths of several key Iranian figures, including Hossein Salami, commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, as well as senior nuclear scientists. In retaliation, Iran launched ballistic missiles into Israeli territory, with explosions reportedly heard in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem on Friday night.
“The Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria condemns Israel’s preemptive strike on Iran, which has led to an escalation of hostilities between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the State of Israel, marked by sustained missile and aerial exchanges across both territories,” the statement read.
The Ministry warned that the escalating cycle of retaliation poses a grave threat to civilian lives and risks plunging the already volatile Middle East into deeper instability. It emphasized the broader implications the conflict could have on global security and economic development.
Nigeria called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urged both nations to exercise maximum restraint. The statement underscored the importance of dialogue over confrontation and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to peaceful coexistence, non-aggression, and multilateral diplomacy.
“We urge the international community, particularly the United Nations Security Council, to intensify efforts toward immediate de-escalation and to provide a platform for constructive engagement,” Ebienfa added.
He stressed that military action is not a substitute for negotiation, asserting that lasting peace can only be achieved through diplomacy, mutual respect, and adherence to international law.
“Nigeria stands ready to support all genuine efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions and promoting peace in the region,” the spokesperson affirmed.
The escalation has also sent shockwaves through global markets. According to Reuters, oil prices surged by over seven percent on Friday, June 13 — the steepest rise in more than four months — amid fears that the conflict could disrupt vital oil supply routes in the Middle East, one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.
