Nigeria Urges Restraint As Israel, Iran Teeter on the Edge of War

Nigeria has called on both Israel and Iran to exercise restraint in the ongoing face off between the two countries.

Nigeria’s call was made in a press statement on Sunday by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mrs.
Francisca Omayuli .

The statement read: “The Federal Government of Nigeria joins other Members of the International Community to call on Iran and Israel to exercise restraint, as diplomatic efforts are ongoing to ease tension and avoid a wider conflict in the Middle East.

“In this critical period, it behoves the two countries to reflect on the universal commitment to peaceful resolution of conflicts, for the advancement of global peace and security.”

Iran had on Saturday evening and during the early hours of Sunday unleashed a barrage of missiles and drones on Sunday in what it claimed was in retaliation for last week’s suspected Israeli strike on its consulate in Damascus that left 13 persons dead.

The attack which Iran described as Operation True Promise, marks the first-ever direct attack on Israeli territory from Iranian soil.

It began on Saturday night around 20:00 GMT and lasted approximately five hours.

During the attack, explosions were heard in cities across Israel, including Tel Aviv, explosions were also heard in Jerusalem, and air raid sirens sounded in more than 720 locations as Israeli forces sought to shoot down the projectiles.

Israel’s chief military spokesman, Daniel Hagari, the attack involved more than 120 ballistic missiles, 170 drones, and more than 30 cruise missiles.

The Israeli military also said that the vast majority of the projectiles were intercepted outside the country’s borders, with help from the United States, the United Kingdom and France. Jordan also shot down some of the missiles aimed at Israel as they were flying through Jordanian airspace.

Israel’s military added that a “small number of hits were identified”. In a base located in southern Israel, “minor damage occurred to the infrastructure”.

A seven-year-old girl was said to have been severely injured by missile fragments, while other patients sustained minor injuries and some were treated for anxiety.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a tweet after the attacks, said his country “will win”, Earlier, he spoke to the nation, stating that the military was prepared for any scenario.

He said: “Citizens of Israel, in recent years, and especially in recent weeks, Israel has been preparing for a direct attack by Iran.

“Our defensive systems are deployed; we are ready for any scenario, both defensively and offensively. The State of Israel is strong. The [Israeli army] is strong. The public is strong.”

He also thanked his allies, including the US and UK, for “standing alongside” Israel.

He said: “We have determined a clear principle: Whoever harms us, we will harm them. We will defend ourselves against any threat and will do so level-headedly and with determination.”

After the attack was over, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said that the attack had been “blocked”.

He said: “The Iranian attack was blocked in the most impressive way, together with our partners, the Americans and others… The entire world saw today who is Iran – a country of terror.”

Iran on its part, warned Israel of any response. The Iranian armed forces chief of staff, Major-General Mohammad Bagheri, told state TV that if Israel retaliates, Iran’s response would be “much larger” than the overnight bombardment, according to a Reuters report.

Iran also warned Washington that backing Israeli retaliation would lead to the targeting of US bases.

Earlier, Iran’s mission to the UN cited the UN Charter provision for self-defence, under Article 51, and said that the country considered “the matter … concluded”, its permanent mission at the United Nations said on X.

Michael Olugbode

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