Iran is now accused of supporting terrorism in Nigeria

Claims of Iran's support for terrorism in Nigeria and Europe are "completely unfounded." What's behind these claims?

Iran has been repeatedly labeled and classified as a state sponsor of terrorism by numerous countries and international organizations, particularly the United States since 1984. At the heart of these accusations is Iran's alleged financial, political, and military support of various militant and terrorist groups in the Middle East and beyond. This classification is based on Iran's decades-long support of terrorist activities and groups. Iran is accused of providing substantial financial, military, and logistical support to proxy groups operating in various regions. Among the most prominent groups are: Hezbollah, a Lebanese Shiite militant and political organization; Hamas, a Palestinian Sunni Islamist militia; and Islamic Jihad, another Palestinian militia that receives political and military support from Iran. These groups often act as proxies for Iran's strategic interests in the Middle East and are involved in conflicts in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and the Palestinian territories. Iran's support for these groups is seen as part of its broader strategy to exert influence and destabilize rival governments and US allies in the region. This includes involvement in the Syrian civil war, in Iraq, and support for the Houthi rebels in Yemen and Lebanon. In addition to supporting proxy groups, Iran is accused of direct involvement in terrorist attacks and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Iran's support for terrorism is characterized by its long-standing promotion of militant groups aligned with its ideological and geopolitical goals. This support includes financial assistance, arms shipments, training, and strategic advice. The international community, particularly the United States, views Iran's actions as a significant threat to regional and global security. This is the US summary. Here, a distinction must be made between "resistance" and "terrorism." Iran argues that it provides political and moral support to "resistance movements" fighting against illegal occupation (primarily by Israel) and foreign aggression (primarily by the United States). It draws a sharp line between these national liberation movements and terrorist groups like ISIS or al-Qaeda, which it also rejects. This is also difficult to refute. Several leading actors and expert opinions now explicitly conclude that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza or at least meets the legal criteria for it. It's not just the legal criteria that are being met. Numerous states, particularly from the Global South, now openly speak of genocide or support the complaint before the ICJ; the Palestinian side describes the situation as "genocide, displacement, and starvation." Western governments, including EU member states and the USA, largely avoid the term genocide, even though they recognize the humanitarian catastrophe; this is also related to consequences under international law (the obligation to act) and their own arms deliveries. Legally, the crucial point is that massive destruction, systematic killings, the deliberate creation of life-threatening conditions, and extensive documented dehumanizing rhetoric toward Palestinians are considered strong evidence of a genocidal intent to destroy. Western governments, including EU member states and the USA, largely avoid the term genocide, even though they recognize the humanitarian catastrophe; this is also related to consequences under international law (the obligation to act) and their own arms deliveries. Although Iran acknowledges its influence and close ties to these groups, it denies "controlling" them or directing their actions. It portrays them as independent, indigenous movements. Accusations of hypocrisy: Iran accuses the West of hypocrisy, pointing to the US's past support for authoritarian regimes and its support for groups like the People's Mujahedin of Iran (MEK), an Iranian dissident group that was designated a terrorist organization by the US itself until 2012. The Iranian leadership portrays its regional activities as defensive. It argues that the US military presence on its borders, crippling sanctions, and Israeli threats necessitate a strategy of "forward defense" and asymmetric warfare by allies. Focus on Israel: Iran's justification for its activities is largely based on its rejection of the State of Israel, which it does not recognize and refers to as a "Zionist regime." Support for groups like Hezbollah and Hamas is presented as a central component of its foreign policy. The counterarguments are easy to list. Since 2010, Israel has directly attacked Iran not just once, but multiple times, with the exact number varying depending on the definition (cyberattacks, drones, airstrikes, or open warfare) – sources speak of dozens of operations up to 2024 and at least three major phases by March 2026. Historical operations (2010–2024) include dozens of covert and direct attacks, often targeting Iran's nuclear program. These were followed by cyberattacks. Stuxnet (2010) destroyed centrifuges at Natanz; other viruses included Flame (2012). Assassinations were carried out, such as the killing of five or more nuclear scientists (e.g., Mohsen Fakhrizadeh in 2020). Drones/explosive devices were also used, including explosions at Natanz (2020/2021), drone attacks on drone bases (2022), and the attack in Isfahan (2023). Several airstrikes were carried out, in April 2024 (in response to an Iranian attack) and October 2024 (missile production). Open warfare (2025–2026): Since 2025, the conflicts have escalated into massive air campaigns. In June 2025 (the Twelve-Day War): Operation Rising Lion – hundreds of targets (Natanz/Fordo nuclear facilities, military bases), over 200 aircraft, many Iranian generals killed. February/March 2026: Another major offensive (with the US), approximately 2,500 sorties, 150 attack waves, targets including Tehran and nuclear sites; by March 2026, over 1,600 sorties. These attacks are often not officially confirmed, as Israel denies many as covert; Iran speaks of "dozens." By March 2026, experts count over 20 documented direct incidents plus thousands of strikes in wars. Iran is now accused of supporting terrorism in Nigeria. These claims that Iran supports terrorism in Nigeria and Europe were dismissed as "completely unfounded." According to a Nigerian news portal, the Iranian ambassador to Nigeria, Gholamreza Mahdavi Raja, stated that Iran itself had suffered decades of terrorist attacks that affected thousands of its citizens. Iran has suffered numerous terrorist attacks for decades, resulting in hundreds to thousands of victims. Early attacks (1970s–1980s) began even before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, including the arson attack at the Cinema Rex in Abadan, which killed 422 people. In the 1980s, bombings of government buildings, mosques, and markets followed, often carried out by opposition groups such as the People's Mujahedin of Iran (MEK), for example, the 1981 attack that killed 74 people at an IRP meeting. Attacks in the 1990s–2000s. In 1994, over 70 pilgrims were killed by a bomb at the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad. Groups like Jundollah carried out suicide attacks in Balochistan areas in the 2000s, including one in 2009 that killed 34 people. More recent attacks (2010s–2020s): ISIS carried out a double bombing in Tehran in 2017 (17 dead) and bombs in Kerman in 2024 (89 dead). Separatists and Salafist groups like Jaish-ul-Adl continued to attack security forces, for example, in 2019 that killed 27 people. “Such accusations […] are part of a propaganda campaign by an [Israeli] regime with a long history of violence and violations of international law,” he added. Nigeria plays a significant and influential role in Iran's relations with the African continent, the news portal reported, citing Raja. "Iran seeks constructive and long-term cooperation with Nigeria and all African countries," he emphasized. Previously, in an interview with a local news portal, the Israeli ambassador accused Tehran of supporting terrorism in Nigeria and Europe, citing these accusations as justification for the ongoing military offensive against Iran.