Iran Sponsors Terrorism in Nigeria, Israel Claims, US Warns Citizens to be Alert

A fresh diplomatic dispute has erupted between Israel and Iran in Nigeria after Israel renewed allegations that Tehran sponsors terrorism globally, including within West Africa.

In a statement issued Tuesday in Abuja, Israel’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, said Iran’s history of supporting militant groups was widely documented.

The remarks came in response to comments by Iran’s envoy to Nigeria, Gholamreza Mahdavi Raja, who appeared on Arise Television on March 8. The envoy also rejected claims that Tehran backs extremist activities in Nigeria and across West Africa.

Freeman insisted that Iran has long been regarded as a major state sponsor of militant organisations.

“For decades, Iran has been widely identified as the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, providing funding, weapons, training and strategic direction to terrorist organisations such as Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthi movement,” he said.

The Israeli envoy also argued that Iranian-linked operations have not been confined to the Middle East.

“Iranian-backed operatives and networks have been linked to attacks and plots across the globe, from Argentina and Bulgaria to Australia and the United Kingdom,” Freeman said.

He further referenced the attacks carried out by Hamas against Israeli civilians on October 7, alleging that Iranian leaders publicly praised the assault and encouraged further violence against Israel.

Freeman also cited incidents in Nigeria that he claimed had links to Iranian-backed operations.

According to him, Nigerian authorities intercepted a shipment of Iranian weapons in 2010 at Apapa Port in Lagos. The shipment was concealed in cargo containers allegedly destined for armed groups operating in West Africa.

He also referred to a 2013 security operation in which Nigerian authorities reportedly uncovered a weapons cache and arrested suspects linked to Hezbollah in Abuja and Kano.

Commenting further, Freeman maintained that Iran’s public denials could not erase what he described as documented evidence.

“The Iranian regime can make as many statements as they like and appear on as many television channels as they want. But facts speak louder than words,” he said.

Freeman also alleged that Tehran has supported the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN). He noted that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, had previously met with the group’s leader, Ibrahim Zakzaky, and praised his activism.

The Israeli embassy said the statement was issued to counter what it described as misinformation regarding Iran’s global activities.

“Terrorism threatens the security and stability of nations across the world, including here in Nigeria,” the statement added.

The renewed exchange highlights rising diplomatic tensions between Israel and Iran, whose rivalry continues to shape geopolitical debates far beyond the Middle East, including in parts of Africa.