*US-Iran nuclear talks in Oman cancelled
Michael Olugbode in Abuja
The federal government has condemned what it described as Israel’s “preemptive strike” on Iran, saying the action has dangerously escalated the conflicts between the two nations.
This is as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, yesterday Britain was deploying fighter jets and other “assets” to the Middle East amid an escalating conflict between Iran and Israel.
Meanwhile, a sixth round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States planned for the weekend has been cancelled, mediator Oman said yesterday.
In a statement issued yesterday by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the federal government expressed deep concern over the intensifying hostilities, which have involved sustained missile and aerial attacks between Iran and Israel.
The federal government called for an immediate end to the violence and urged both countries to show maximum restraint.
According to the statement, continued retaliation risks not only civilian lives but also threatens to destabilise the wider Middle East, with serious consequences for international peace and economic stability.
“The government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria condemns Israel’s preemptive strike on Iran that 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.
“Nigeria expresses its grave concern and calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urges both parties to exercise utmost restraint in the interest of regional and global peace.
“The continued cycle of retaliation not only endangers civilian lives but threatens to plunge the broader Middle East into further instability, with implications for international security and economic development,” the ministry stated.
Reaffirming its longstanding commitment to peaceful coexistence and diplomatic resolution of conflicts, the federal government emphasised the importance of dialogue over confrontation.
The government also called on the international community, particularly the United Nations Security Council, to step up efforts to de-escalate the situation and facilitate meaningful negotiations between the parties involved.
“Military action is not a substitute for negotiation,” the statement said, stressing that enduring peace must be built on diplomacy, mutual respect, and adherence to international law.
Nigeria pledged its support for all sincere efforts aimed at restoring calm and fostering peace in the region.
“As a nation deeply committed to the principles of peaceful coexistence, non-aggression, and multilateral diplomacy, Nigeria calls on all involved to prioritise dialogue over confrontation.
“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.
“The path to lasting peace lies in 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 statement added.
On Friday, Israel launched a major air campaign targeting around 100 sites across Iran, including nuclear and military facilities, killing several senior Iranian military leaders.
The strikes, marking one of the most significant escalations between the two countries in recent years, triggered widespread international reactions urging calm and diplomacy to prevent further conflict.
Among those killed were Iran’s armed forces chief of staff, General Mohammad Bagheri, and the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hossein Salami.
Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei called Israel’s wave of strikes a “declaration of war”, as he warned Israel it faced a “bitter and painful” fate over the attacks, while the Iranian military said there were “no limits” to its response.
Meanwhile Britain is deploying fighter jets and other “assets” to the Middle East amid an escalating conflict between Iran and Israel.
“We are moving assets to the region, including jets, and that is for contingency support,” Starmer told reporters travelling with him on his plane to Canada for G7 talks.
The UK leader said he had spoken with both US President, Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since Israel launched attacks on Iranian military and nuclear sites early Friday.
In a related development, mediator Oman yesterday said the sixth round of nuclear talks between Iran and the US planned for this weekend had been cancelled.
