The Iranian Ambassador to Nigeria, Gholamreza Mahdavi Raja, has alleged that the United States is exploiting the ongoing conflict with Iran in a bid to gain control over the country’s vast energy resources.
Mr Raja claimed that Washington’s actions were driven by what he described as “hegemonic ambitions.”
The ambassador made the remarks during an interview with Trust TV on Monday.
According to him, the recent strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel were part of a broader strategy aimed at dominating Iran’s oil reserves.
“The main aim of the United States and the Zionist regime for such brutal and unprovoked aggression is to seize Iranian energy reserves. The Zionist regime seeks Iran’s disintegration—they announced it themselves,” he said.
Despite the attacks on key infrastructure, Mr Raja maintained that the Iranian government remains fully operational and that citizens are united in defending the country’s sovereignty.
He also rejected suggestions that foreign powers could influence the selection of Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.
“Iran is an independent country. We make our own decisions without outside interference,” he said.
On the humanitarian impact of the conflict, the envoy accused the United States of striking civilian targets, including a school in Minab City, alleging that several children were killed in the attack.
Mr Raja insisted that Iran targets only military bases in the Gulf and accused Washington and Israel of staging what he described as “false flag operations” to blame Tehran.
The ambassador also dismissed Israeli claims that Iran sponsors terrorism in Nigeria as “baseless and politically motivated,” stressing that Iran’s relationship with the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN, is strictly spiritual and cultural.
Addressing concerns about global energy supplies, Raja denied reports that Iran had closed the Strait of Hormuz, but warned that continued military escalation could destabilise the region.“Conflict in this strategic region naturally drives energy prices up worldwide,” he said.
