Iranian Ambassador Accuses US of Oil Grab Amid Gulf Attacks
The Iranian Ambassador to Nigeria, Gholamreza Mahdavi Raja, has publicly accused the United States of exploiting its conflict with Iran to seize control of the country's vast oil reserves. In a televised interview, Raja labeled Washington's actions as driven by "hegemonic ambitions," asserting that recent attacks by the US and Israel are part of a strategic plan to dominate Iran's energy resources.
Allegations of Hidden Agenda in Gulf Region
During an appearance on Trust TV's Daily Politics program on Monday, January 9, Raja stated, "The main aim of the United States and the Zionist regime for such brutal and unprovoked aggression is to seize Iranian energy reserves. The Zionist regime seeks Iran's disintegration; they announced it themselves." He emphasized that despite these attacks, Iran's government continues to function normally, with citizens united in defending national sovereignty.
Internal Affairs and Civilian Casualties
Raja also addressed internal matters, stressing that the appointment of Iran's new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, is purely an internal decision, free from foreign interference. He claimed, "Iran is an independent country. We make our own decisions without outside interference." On the human cost of the conflict, Raja alleged that US missiles targeted civilian areas, including a school in Minab City, resulting in the deaths of many children. He maintained that Iran only aims at military installations in the Gulf and accused the US and Israel of conducting "false flag operations" to blame Tehran.
Impact on Global Energy and Regional Stability
Addressing concerns about global energy supplies, Raja denied any Iranian plans to close the Strait of Hormuz but warned that further military escalation could destabilize the region. He noted, "Conflict in this strategic region naturally drives energy prices up worldwide." Additionally, he rejected Israeli claims that Iran supports terrorism in Nigeria, describing them as "baseless and politically motivated," and clarified that Iran's involvement with the Islamic Movement of Nigeria is solely spiritual and cultural in nature.
