The Iranian Ambassador to Nigeria, Gholamreza Ahdavi Raja, has strongly rejected comments by United States President Donald Trump suggesting he would play a role in determining Iran’s next leadership following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
At a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, Raja emphasized that Iran would decide its political future independently, without foreign interference.
“The United States is always interfering in our domestic issues. We are an independent country. We will not let the United States interfere in our domestic affairs,” he said.
Trump had made the remarks after the confirmation of Khamenei’s death. On his Truth Social account, he encouraged Iranians to take charge of their country and leadership.
During a bilateral meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the White House, Trump claimed that successive US-Israeli attacks had eliminated potential military leaders in Iran. He stated:
“Most of the people we had in mind are dead. I guess the worst case would be, we do this, and then somebody takes over who’s as bad as the previous person, right? We’d like to see somebody in there that’s going to bring it back for the people.”
In an interview with Axios, Trump further asserted, “I have to be involved in the appointment, like with Delcy in Venezuela.”
Raja dismissed the claim, insisting that the Iranian people would make their own decisions regarding leadership.
“We are an independent country. We decide ourselves about our leadership, about our future, and all the decisions which we are taking are based on the people in order to preserve the interests of our country,” he said.
He also assured that Nigerians living in Iran remain safe despite rising tensions.
“Your citizens in Iran are safe and secure because some of your citizens are in Tehran. Some of them are in Qom and other cities. So far, we haven’t received any reports regarding Nigerian casualties or injuries. So they are secure,” Raja said.
The ambassador highlighted the long-standing diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and Iran, noting that the ties span more than five decades.
“Our relationship goes back more than 55 years. During these decades, we have had good relations. We are satisfied with the level of the relationship between the two countries,” he said, adding that both nations collaborate across politics, agriculture, energy, oil and gas, industry, and education.
Raja condemned the recent attacks on Iran, describing them as premeditated acts of military aggression and violations of international law and the United Nations Charter. He stated that Iran was not responsible for ending the conflict, insisting that “the obligation lies with the aggressors and the international community.”
“It’s not our responsibility to find a solution for ending the war. It’s the responsibility of the aggressors; it’s the responsibility of the international community. It’s the responsibility of international bodies to intervene in this conflict. But all of them are silent. Where is the European Union now? Where is the position of the United Nations? Specifically, the body responsible for security, which is the Security Council. Why haven’t they even held an urgent session? The whole region is facing conflict, but you can see that the Security Council has kept silent,” he said.
He further accused the UN of being influenced by the United States:
“Because it’s the hand of the United States. Because it’s a tool of the United States. The United Nations is under the hand of the United States. No actions have been taken against acts of terror, acts of assassination, or acts of aggression. No action.”
Raja stressed that Iran has not initiated war against any country for over 200 years, contrasting this with US military interventions.
“The United States, since the end of the Second World War, has invaded more than 50 countries. Who is seeking the conflict? Iran or the United States?” he asked.
He described the attack on Iran as a violation of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter and cited Article 51 to assert Iran’s right to self-defence.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran, in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, has the inherent and legitimate right to defend itself against armed aggression. Iran’s defensive measures are exercised strictly within this legal and rightful framework,” he said.
Raja also highlighted civilian casualties, including schools and hospitals, calling these attacks “clear violations of international humanitarian law.”
“Let me state clearly: targeting children in a school is not a wartime accident; it is an unmistakable war crime,” he said, adding that the attacks occurred while Iran was engaged in diplomatic talks with the United States.
“At the time these attacks occurred, Iran was actively engaged in diplomatic negotiations with the United States. Yet, once again, the United States chose to carry out a military attack in the midst of an ongoing diplomatic process,” he said.
While reaffirming Iran’s commitment to peace, Raja underscored the country’s readiness to defend its sovereignty:
“We are committed to defending ourselves, and we will do all that we can, but Iran is not a country seeking war. We are seeking peace and stability for the region. The Iranian people will not submit to aggression but will defend their legitimate rights while continuing to support a just and peaceful global order based on respect for international law.”
