The Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, has accused the Iranian government of sponsoring Islamic movements in Nigeria as part of a broader campaign to spread terrorism across the world.
Freeman made the allegation during an interview on Arise TV on Friday, amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following coordinated airstrikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian targets.
The comments also come days after protests erupted in several Nigerian states by members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), commonly known as Shi’ites, over the reported killing of Ali Khamenei during recent US–Israeli strikes on Tehran.
Demonstrations were reported in Lagos, Kano, Niger State, Sokoto, Gombe, Yobe, Bauchi and Kaduna, where protesters condemned the military action and expressed solidarity with Iran.
Participants were seen waving Iranian flags, displaying portraits of Khamenei and carrying placards denouncing both the United States and Israel.
Speaking on the developments, Freeman alleged that the Islamic Movement of Nigeria receives support from Tehran.
“We know there are certain movements, for example, the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, that is sponsored and backed by the Iranian regime,” he said.
The ambassador claimed that Iran’s involvement in Nigeria forms part of a wider network of influence extending across West Africa.
According to him, Tehran has for decades maintained a hostile posture toward Israel and Western countries, while allegedly supporting militant groups globally.
“For 47 years, Iran has had a policy of ‘death to Israel, death to America’. Its entire apparatus, its state structure, has been sponsoring terrorism and organizations around the world to spread terror,” Freeman stated.
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He further alleged that Iran has developed ballistic missile and nuclear programmes while supporting armed groups, including Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis.
Freeman described Iran as an international sponsor of terrorism, citing attacks allegedly linked to Tehran in several countries, including Nigeria, Argentina, Bulgaria, the United Kingdom and Australia.
“This is a country that sponsors terror, whose Revolutionary Guard is a prescribed terror group across Europe and many other countries around the world,” he said.
Meanwhile, Iran’s ambassador to Nigeria, Mahdavi Raja, has defended Tehran’s recent military actions, including reported missile and drone strikes on US military bases in the Gulf region.
Raja said the attacks were a response to actions by the United States and Israel and maintained that Iran had the right to retaliate, even in countries maintaining diplomatic relations with Tehran.
Reports indicate that Iranian forces targeted US bases in Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.
Freeman also addressed concerns over Iran’s nuclear ambitions, arguing that Israel’s defensive actions were justified.
“When a country says it wants to destroy you and is trying to build a nuclear weapon, it is absolutely justified for that country to take action to stop such a threat,” he said.
He added that Israel is open to supporting Nigeria in addressing potential security challenges linked to global extremist networks.
Citing remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Freeman said Israel is willing to collaborate with Nigeria to address instability and strengthen security cooperation where necessary.