Nigeria alongside other international counterparts have called for a ceasefire in the escalating tension between Iran and Israel.
Recalled that over 300 drones and missiles were fired towards Israel in an attack late Saturday, injuring at least 12 people, according to an Israeli army spokesman, Daniel Hagari, in a televised statement on Sunday, AFP reports.
The Israeli military, in a statement, said “dozens of surface-to-surface missile launches” were identified, with the majority intercepted before crossing into Israeli territory.
The attack, according to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, was a retaliation for a deadly April 1 drone strike on its Damascus consulate, confirming early Monday that a drone and missile attack was underway against Israel.
The attack came as the Israel-Hamas war raged in besieged Gaza.
Countries around the world condemned Iran’s strikes on Israel, warning the attack could further destabilise the Middle East.
Nigeria, in a statement signed by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Francisca Omayuli, noted that diplomatic efforts were underway to defuse the situation and prevent a broader conflict in the Middle East.
“Our commitment to Israel’s security against threats from Iran and its proxies is ironclad,” Biden said on X, posting a picture of the meeting in the White House Situation Room.
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said on NBC’s “We’re not looking for a wider war with Iran.”
United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned the “reckless” strikes, which he said “risk inflaming tensions and destabilising the region.”
He called for “calm heads to prevail” and added Britain will “be working with our allies to de-escalate the situation”.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Ottawa “unequivocally condemns Iran’s airborne attacks”, adding, “We stand with Israel.”
Russia expressed concern over the latest dangerous escalation in the region” and urged all sides to “show restraint.”