Iran is ready to help Nigeria fight terr+rism, denies backing Islamic groups — Ambassador Mahdavi Raja

 

Mahdavi Raja, Iran’s ambassador to Nigeria, has expressed Tehran’s readiness to support the country in its f+ght against terr+rism while clarifying that Islamic groups in Nigeria maintain only spiritual and cultural ties with Iran, not political ones.

Raja’s remarks come after Michael Freeman, Israel’s ambassador to Nigeria, accused Iran of sponsoring Islamic movements in Nigeria and West Africa to spread terr+r. The allegations coincided with protests by members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) over the k+lling of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, during recent US-Israeli strikes.

Responding to the claims, Raja stressed that recent support rallies for Iran in Nigeria were moral and spiritual, not political. He added that Tehran has always condemned terr+rism and is ready to cooperate with governments facing terr+rist thr+ats, including Nigeria.

“We are ready to lend a helping hand. We know Nigeria faces threats from Boko Haram, ISWAP, and others. We are ready to share our experience in counterterr+rism,” Raja said, also highlighting that Iran itself is a victim of terr+rism.

The envoy reiterated that Tehran condemns terr+rist att@cks in Nigeria and across Africa and is prepared to work with African nations to combat terr+rism using its experience.