The Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Nigeria, Gholamreza Ahdavi Raja, has criticised remarks by United States President Donald Trump, suggesting that he would be involved in determining Iran’s leadership following the death of the country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Saturday’s attack.
Raja said Iran would independently determine its leadership and political future without foreign interference.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, the ambassador stressed that Iran would not allow external influence in its domestic affairs.
“The United States is always interfering in our domestic issues. We are an independent country. We will not let the United States interfere in our domestic affairs,” he said.
Raja’s comments followed remarks by Trump after the confirmation of the Supreme Leader’s death.
Trump, in response, took to his Truth Social account and urged Iranians to take control of their country and leadership.
Also Read: Iran announces burial plans for Khamenei in hometown shrine
Meanwhile, during a bilateral meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the White House, Trump said successive waves of US-Israeli attacks had eliminated figures he believed were being prepared to assume military leadership roles in Iran.
“Most of the people we had in mind are dead. I guess the worst case would be, we do this, and then somebody takes over who’s as bad as the previous person, right? We’d like to see somebody in there that’s going to bring it back for the people,” Trump said.
Also, in an interview with Axios on Thursday, Trump stated that he must be involved in the selection of Iran’s next leader.
“I have to be involved in the appointment, like with Delcy in Venezuela”, Trump said.
Reacting to the assertions, the envoy dismissed the suggestion, stressing that decisions about Iran’s leadership would be made by its people.
“We are an independent country. We decide ourselves about our leadership, about our future, and all the decisions which we are taking are based on the people in order to preserve the interests of our country,” he said.
The ambassador also assured that Nigerians living in Iran remain safe despite tensions in the region.
“Your citizens in Iran are safe and secure because some of your citizens are in Tehran. Some of them are in Qom and other cities.
“So far, we haven’t received any reports regarding Nigerian casualties or injuries. So they are secure,” he said.
He added that relations between Nigeria and Iran remain cordial, noting that diplomatic ties between both countries span more than five decades.
“Our relationship goes back more than 55 years. During these decades, we have had good relations. We are satisfied with the level of the relationship between the two countries,” the envoy said.
According to him, both countries continue to cooperate in several sectors, including politics, agriculture, energy, oil and gas, industry, and education.
Meanwhile, the ambassador described the attack on his country as a deliberate and premeditated act of military aggression, stressing that it violated international law and the United Nations Charter.
He added that Iran was not responsible for ending the ongoing conflict, insisting that the obligation lies with “the aggressors” and the international community.
He also questioned the stance of global institutions, particularly the European Union and the United Nations Security Council, over what he described as their silence on the situation.
“It’s not our responsibility to find a solution for ending the war. It’s the responsibility of the aggressors; it’s the responsibility of the international community. It’s the responsibility of international bodies to intervene in this conflict. But all of them are silent.
“Where is the European Union now? Where is the position of the United Nations? Specifically, the body responsible for security is the Security Council. Why haven’t they even held an urgent session? The whole region is facing conflict, but you can see that the Security Council has kept silent,” he said.
The ambassador further alleged that the United Nations was influenced by the United States.
“Because it’s the hand of the United States. Because it’s a tool of the United States. The United Nations is under the hand of the United States. No actions have been taken against acts of terror, acts of assassination, or acts of aggression. No action,” he said.
He argued that the global body was gradually losing its legitimacy.
“They are responsible; they were created in order to manage the security of the world, but nowadays they haven’t done anything in this regard,” he stated.
The envoy maintained that Iran has not initiated war against any country in over two centuries.
“Iran has not initiated an attack on any country. Iran has not attacked for 200 years now. We were attacked by other countries, but we haven’t started any war,” he said.
By contrast, he accused the United States of repeated military interventions.
“The United States, since the end of the Second World War, has invaded more than 50 countries. Who is seeking the conflict? Iran or the United States?” he asked.
Raja described the attack on Iran by Israel and the United States as a violation of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.
“What has been done against Iran is not merely a military operation; it is a flagrant violation of Article 2, paragraph 4 of the UN Charter,” he said.
He also cited Article 51 of the Charter, asserting Iran’s right to self-defence.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran, in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, has the inherent and legitimate right to defend itself against armed aggression. Iran’s defensive measures are exercised strictly within this legal and rightful framework,” he said.
The ambassador also highlighted civilian infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, which he said were affected by the attacks, describing the actions as clear violations of international humanitarian law.
“Let me state clearly: targeting children in a school is not a wartime accident; it is an unmistakable war crime,” he said.
He further stated that the attacks occurred while Iran was engaged in diplomatic negotiations with the United States.
“At the time these attacks occurred, Iran was actively engaged in diplomatic negotiations with the United States. Yet, once again, the United States chose to carry out a military attack in the midst of an ongoing diplomatic process,” he said.
While emphasising that Iran seeks peace and stability in the region, the envoy said the country would defend its sovereignty.
“We are committed to defending ourselves, and we will do all that we can, but Iran is not a country seeking war. We are seeking peace and stability for the region,” he said.
He added that the Iranian people would not submit to aggression but would defend their legitimate rights while continuing to support a just and peaceful global order based on respect for international law.
Punch
