Terrorism: “Iran ready to support Nigeria” – Ambassador Raja
The Iranian ambassador to Nigeria, Gholamreza Raja has denied claims that Iran is spreading terrorism across the nation.
Raja while speaking in an interview with Arise Television said contrary to public opinion on its stance on terrorism, Iran is ready to support Nigeria and other countries to fight violent extremism.
Addressing the ongoing challenges following incessant activities of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province terrorists in Nigeria, Raja said Iran condemns every act of violent extremism.
“Iran condemns terrorism of any kind and expresses readiness to cooperate with governments facing it.
“Nigeria faces security challenges from Boko Haram and ISWAP, and we are ready to support the government in combating terrorism,” Raja said.
Speaking further, the ambassador said that Iran’s position on terrorism comes from its own experience with terrorists and their attacks on the country.
“As a victim of terrorism ourselves, we condemn terrorism in Nigeria,” he said.
Further debunking claims on the global space over the possible threats by the country on maintaining peace across various countries of the world, Raja said, “First of all, they are just baseless allegation which that person raised.
“Iran has so many followers, according to the followers of the spiritual leader, those persons, Muslims – not only the Shiites, not only the Sunnis – they are followers spiritually and culturally not politically.
“You can see that in Africa, after the assassination of our supreme leader, they’ve had some peaceful rallies and occasions – mourning occasions.
“That doesn’t mean that Iran is defending those groups, no, no, no. It is a moral and spiritual connection because they are Muslims and we are Muslims,” he added.
