Israel accuses Iran of backing terrorist activities in Nigeria, a claim Iran dismisses as a smear campaign

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By Omeiza Ajayi & Favour Ulebor, Abuja

The diplomatic corridors of Abuja have become the latest battleground in the escalating global conflict between Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

In an interview on Arise TV monitored in Abuja, the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, levelled heavy accusations against Tehran, alleging that the regime is actively sponsoring terrorism within Nigeria and across Europe.

Freeman pointed specifically to the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN, as a proxy backed by the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, warning that Iran’s “entire apparatus” is dedicated to spreading terror and destabilizing sovereign nations to export its revolutionary extremism.

Ambassador Freeman justified the ongoing military offensive against Iran, which recently claimed the life of the Iranian Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a “moral obligation” to prevent a nuclear-armed Tehran from wiping Israel off the map.

He claimed that Iran’s reach extends far beyond the Middle East, with documented terror operations in Argentina, Bulgaria, and now West Africa. According to the Israeli envoy, the strikes are a necessary response to 47 years of Iranian aggression and an effort to dismantle a regime that he asserts has massacred tens of thousands of its own citizens.

Iran’s denial

In a swift and blistering rebuttal, the Iranian Ambassador to Nigeria, Gholamreza Mahdavi Raja, dismissed these claims as “entirely unfounded” and a product of a desperate propaganda campaign.

Raja argued that the Israeli allegations are a strategic smokescreen designed to deflect global attention from Israel’s own record of “state terrorism.”

He countered that it is Israel, not Iran, that has a documented history of violating international law through the targeted assassination of scientists and political figures on foreign soil.

The interview

Below is an excerpt from the interview with the Israeli ambassador:

I will like to ask you, is this war justified? Because the fight is against Iran having nuclear weapons and nuclear proliferation. Why are you justifying stopping the Iranian nuclear programme when you have these nuclear weapons? Is it justified?

For 47 years, Iran has had a policy of “Death to Israel, Death to America.

Its entire apparatus and state structure has been sponsoring terrorism and organizations around the world to kill Israelis, kill Jews, and spread terror.

We have seen Iran developing a ballistic missile program and a nuclear program. When a country says they want to destroy you and they are trying to build a nuclear weapon, it is absolutely justified. It is a moral obligation to stop a country that wants to destroy us.

Israel has a nuclear weapon; Iran is trying to build one. Is it justified to take away Iran’s ability to build a nuclear weapon when Israel has one?

First, Israel has never said that we have nuclear weapons. That is your statement. Israel’s policy has always been that we won’t be the first country to introduce nuclear weapons into the region.

But the issue here is about Iran. Iran is the only country in the United Nations that expressly desires to wipe another country off the face of the earth. We have seen them sponsor terror organizations; they were behind the October 7th massacre by Hamas. We have seen them acting in Europe, Australia, and Nigeria.

Israel is not a saint because for all the terror you say Iran has carried out, Israel has also carried out that level of terror. And you’ve gone ahead to kill the Supreme Leader in Iran.

That’s an absurd statement. Nigeria has been on the receiving end of terrorism from Iran. Iran sponsors all the major terror organizations: Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and groups in Iraq.

We have seen Iran carry out terror bombings in Argentina and Bulgaria. Less than two months ago, millions of Iranians protested against the regime, and the regime’s response was to gun them down. Between 30,000 and 70,000 Iranians were shot dead This is an illegitimate government.

What is Israel’s goal for this war? Critics say there was no imminent threat of an attack on Israel by Iran, yet Israel made the first move

Israel absolutely did not make the first move. Iran has been attacking Israel for 47 years.

Regarding an imminent threat, since the 12-day war last year, Iran has gone all-in on moving its ballistic missile and nuclear capacity deep underground. Within a few months, that programme would have been totally immune from any strike.

Our aims are to ensure Iran does not have the capability to wipe Israel off the map. We will destroy their ballistic missile and nuclear capabilities and weaken the regime that massacred its own people. We will give the Iranian people the opportunity to decide the future of their country.

There are concerns that this is foreign-imposed regime change, which is illegal under international law. Why will this be any different from other U.S.-led interventions that resulted in more chaos?”

The current regime does not represent the people. When the people spoke against it, the regime shot them.

“Mr. Ambassador, the numbers are disputed. Some reports say the Iranians support the current leadership, as seen when they came out to mourn Khamenei.”

What we saw on television were spontaneous shows of delight and happiness from Iranians. No credible human rights organization claims less than 30,000 Iranians were massacred.

“This regime is destabilizing the region — they’ve fired rockets at Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.”

Last year, you said you had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program. Why are you still saying they will build a weapon? Did the “obliteration” not work?”

In the 12-day war, we set back Iran’s programme. However, over the last year, the Iranian leadership – while their people have no water and face an economic crisis – decided to invest $1 billion into rebuilding a new nuclear programme deeper underground.

“They refused to negotiate or give up enrichment. If they had invested the billion dollars into their people instead of missiles and terrorists, we wouldn’t be here.”

What about the humanitarian cost? Reports say 150 schoolchildren were killed

Israel follows the laws of war and carries out pinpoint strikes to minimize civilian casualties. Iran, on the other hand, targets civilians in Tel Aviv and Beit Shemesh. Their missiles have killed children and the elderly. It is Iran that is carrying out war crimes.

Finally, regarding Iranian influence in Nigeria, you mentioned the Islamic Movement of Nigeria IMN. Is Israel looking to join the U.S. in fighting terrorism in Nigeria?

It is well-documented that the Islamic Movement of Nigeria is backed by the Iranian regime. Ayatollah Khamenei even posted his support on X.

Regarding the second part, Nigeria and Israel are strong allies. As Prime Minister Netanyahu said, we are eager to partner with Nigeria according to Nigeria’s needs and desires to tackle instability.

Iran reacts

Reacting, the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Nigeria, Gholamreza Mahdavi Raja, denied allegations that Iran sponsors terrorism in Nigeria or across the Sahel, describing the claims as “unfounded” and part of a broader propaganda campaign.

Raja made the remarks in an exclusive interview with Vanguard, responding to statements attributed to the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, who in a February 6, 2026 interview alleged that Iran exerts influence in Nigeria and the wider Sahel region through sponsorship of terrorism.

The Iranian envoy dismissed the allegations, saying they stem from a government with a history of violence beyond its borders. “Such allegations are entirely unfounded and form part of a propaganda campaign by a regime that has a long record of violence and violations of international law,” Raja said.

He stressed that Iran itself has been a victim of terrorism over decades, with thousands of citizens affected, and emphasized the country’s commitment to genuine international cooperation to combat terrorism.

Raja further reassured Nigeria of Tehran’s friendly relations, noting that bilateral ties are cordial, transparent, and legally grounded, spanning trade, education, culture, science, technology, health, and diplomatic engagement. “Iran regards Nigeria as an important and influential country in Africa and seeks constructive, long-term engagement with Nigeria and all African countries,” he said.

The ambassador’s comments come amid escalating conflict between Iran, Israel, and the United States, following coordinated military strikes in late February 2026 on Iranian cities and strategic sites. The operations, named Operation Roaring Lion and Operation Epic Fury, targeted air defence and nuclear infrastructure, triggering Iranian retaliatory strikes on Israeli territory and U.S. military bases in the Gulf.

The conflict has also seen regional escalation, with Tehran‑aligned proxy groups such as Hezbollah firing rockets into northern Israel, prompting reciprocal strikes on Lebanese territory. Economic repercussions include disruptions to global oil markets, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz.

As of early March 2026, the conflict shows no immediate sign of de-escalation, with sustained military actions, regional spillovers, and complex diplomatic divisions continuing to challenge international peace efforts.

Raja reiterated that allegations linking Iran to terrorism in Nigeria and the Sahel are baseless and urged reliance on evidence-based assessments rather than politically motivated claims.

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