The Iranian government has assured that Nigerians living in the country are safe despite escalating tensions in the Middle East triggered by the ongoing military standoff involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
Iran’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Mahdavi Raja, gave the assurance on Thursday during a press conference in Abuja, stating that there had been no reports of harm to Nigerian nationals residing in major Iranian cities.
Raja said Nigerians living in cities such as Tehran and Qom had remained safe since the outbreak of hostilities, stressing that the Iranian government had prioritised the safety of all foreign residents.
“The safety of foreign residents, including Nigerians, is a priority for the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the envoy said.
He explained that Iran’s military actions were purely defensive and targeted strictly at military installations, adding that civilians and foreign nationals were not being threatened.
According to him, the country’s response to the crisis is guided by international law, particularly the principle of self-defence as provided under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.
Raja noted that the escalation of tensions had coincided with important cultural and religious observances in Iran, including the holy month of Ramadan and the country’s New Year celebration, Nowruz.
Despite the situation, he said normal life for foreign residents had not been disrupted.
The ambassador reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to maintaining diplomatic relations and dialogue even as it takes steps to defend its sovereignty.
He also highlighted the long-standing diplomatic and economic ties between Iran and Nigeria, noting that cooperation between the two countries would continue in areas such as energy, agriculture, education and trade.
Raja urged Nigerians residing in Iran to remain calm and comply with official directives, stressing that there was no immediate threat to their safety.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has said it is closely monitoring developments in the region and has issued travel advisories to citizens in Iran and neighbouring Gulf countries.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission also disclosed that it was coordinating with relevant authorities to provide support and necessary information to Nigerians living in the affected region.
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