The Federal Government of Nigeria has unequivocally condemned Israel’s recent preemptive strike on Iran, an action that has led to a dangerous escalation of hostilities between the two nations, marked by sustained missile and aerial exchanges across both territories. In a series of statements issued on Saturday by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja, Nigeria expressed profound concern and called for an immediate cessation of all hostilities. This stance was reaffirmed by the government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Nigeria urged both Israel and Iran to exercise the utmost restraint in the interest of regional and global peace. The government highlighted that the relentless cycle of retaliation not only endangers civilian lives but also threatens to plunge the broader Middle East into deeper instability, with severe implications for international security and economic development. The initial Israeli strikes on Friday reportedly targeted Iran's nuclear program and military leadership, leading to casualties including members of Iran's general staff and senior nuclear scientists. In response, Iran launched ballistic missiles into Israeli territory, with explosions reported over cities like Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

As a nation deeply committed to the principles of peaceful coexistence, non-aggression, and multilateral diplomacy, Nigeria stressed the critical importance of prioritizing dialogue over confrontation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement emphasized that military action is not a substitute for negotiation, and that the true path to lasting peace lies in diplomacy, mutual respect, and strict adherence to international law. Nigeria also called upon the international community, particularly the United Nations Security Council, to intensify efforts toward immediate de-escalation and to establish a robust platform for constructive engagement between the warring parties.

The Nigerian government has pledged its readiness to support all genuine initiatives aimed at de-escalating tensions and promoting peace in the region. The escalating conflict has already had tangible global impacts, with reports indicating a significant jump in global oil prices following the initial strikes and retaliations, further underscoring the broad consequences of the instability in the Middle East.