Iran

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

The Federal Government of Nigeria has strongly condemned Israel’s recent unprovoked strikes on Iran, which have triggered a fresh wave of hostilities between the two Middle Eastern powers. In a statement issued on Friday, the Nigerian government described the escalating conflict as a grave threat to regional and global peace.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, expressed deep concern over the sustained missile and aerial exchanges between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the State of Israel, calling for an “immediate cessation of hostilities” and restraint from both parties.

“The continued cycle of retaliation not only endangers civilian lives but threatens to plunge the broader Middle East into further instability, with implications for international security and economic development,” the statement read.

Nigeria, which has long championed non-aggression and multilateral diplomacy principles, urged Iran and Israel to return to dialogue and constructive engagement. The government also called on the United Nations Security Council and the broader international community to intensify de-escalation efforts and provide diplomatic platforms for resolution.

Reaffirming its stance against military confrontation, the statement noted that “military action is not a substitute for negotiation” and that lasting peace must be built on diplomacy, mutual respect, and adherence to international law.

“Nigeria stands ready to support all genuine efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions and promoting peace in the region,” the Ministry added.

The statement comes amid growing international alarm over the potential fallout of the conflict, which many fear could destabilise the already volatile Middle East and disrupt global economic and political systems.

In a dramatic escalation of hostilities, Iranian missiles penetrated Israel’s air defense systems and struck the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv, widely regarded as the country’s equivalent of the Pentagon.

The attack, part of Iran’s newly launched “True Promise 3” operation, reportedly caused substantial damage to the highly fortified complex.

Analysts say the consequences of this strike may severely impact Israel’s military coordination, intelligence functions, and high-level decision-making.

The offensive comes on the heels of an earlier Israeli operation, “Rising Lion,” which was carried out in the early hours of June 13.

Tehran has described the Israeli move as an unprovoked act of aggression, prompting its forceful response.

Military sources suggest the success of the Iranian missiles in bypassing Israeli interceptors raises questions about the effectiveness of the country’s air defense systems.

The Kirya compound serves as a nerve center for Israeli military planning, making it a highly symbolic and strategic target.

While Israeli officials have yet to provide full details on the extent of the damage, the attack marks one of the boldest direct strikes by Iran on Israeli territory to date.

Observers fear this development could lead to a broader regional confrontation if de-escalation efforts fail.

By Muhammad Sulaiman

U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued a strongly worded statement condemning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s unilateral military strike on Iran, calling it a reckless escalation that defies international law and endangers global stability.

Sanders accused Netanyahu of previously violating the Geneva Conventions through the starvation of children in Gaza and now pursuing an illegal attack on Iran, risking a full-scale regional war. He stated that the strikes ignored the diplomatic efforts of the United States to resolve tensions over Iran’s nuclear program and undermined planned negotiations.

“The world is more dangerous and unstable as a result of the extremist Netanyahu’s government ongoing defiance of international law,” Sanders said.

The senator urged the U.S. and international community to resist being drawn into another conflict, and instead push for de-escalation and renewed diplomacy.

“We should do everything possible to prevent an escalation of this conflict and bring the warring parties to the negotiating table,” he emphasized.

By Muhammad Abubakar

In a stunning display of cyber warfare, Israeli forces reportedly rendered Iran’s military defenses inoperative during a recent strike, leaving the Islamic Republic’s army effectively “blind, deaf and dumb,” according to military analysts cited by the German outlet Bild.

The report suggests that a sophisticated and large-scale cyberattack paralyzed Iranian radar systems throughout the night, allowing Israeli aircraft to carry out their operations without detection. Only a single Iranian air defense base managed to register the strikes, underscoring the scale of the electronic disruption.”

Israeli forces appear to have disabled Iran’s radar infrastructure so thoroughly that Iranian fighter jets scrambled without ever spotting the incoming targets,” Bild reported, citing military observers.

The extent of the cyber intrusion also reportedly severed internal communications among Iran’s air defense units. Mobile networks, radios, pagers, and even encrypted messaging platforms such as WhatsApp were reportedly jammed or rendered inoperable during the attack. This effectively left military personnel and targeted sites unaware of the impending strike.

“Hundreds of Iranian officers and pilots did not even know that anything was happening,” the report stated. “This points to a massive cyberattack using advanced electronic warfare, likely initiated as Israeli aircraft began their mission.”

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have not officially commented on the operation, but the reported scale and precision of the strike suggest a high level of coordination between Israel’s cyber, intelligence, and air units.

If confirmed, the incident would mark one of the most significant uses of cyberwarfare in a live military operation to date, raising serious questions about the resilience of critical defense infrastructure in the face of digital threats.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Tensions between Iran and Israel escalated sharply on Friday after Iran launched around 100 drones toward Israeli territory.

The Iranian response came hours after Israel carried out widespread airstrikes targeting nuclear facilities and key military sites across Iran.

According to a spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), “all the defense systems are acting to intercept the threats,” as the military moved swiftly to neutralize the incoming drones.

The drone attack follows a pre-dawn offensive by Israel, which struck multiple targets in Iran, including nuclear installations and military compounds.

The assault reportedly resulted in the deaths of several high-ranking Iranian commanders and nuclear scientists.

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, issued a stern warning following the Israeli operation, stating that Israel would face “severe punishment” for the attack.

The situation has drawn international concern, with fears of a broader regional conflict if tensions continue to spiral.

Both nations remain on high alert as the world watches for what comes next.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Israel’s military has confirmed it carried out strikes on nuclear sites in Iran, targeting the country’s nuclear program.

The operation, dubbed “Operation Rising Lion,” reportedly killed several senior Iranian military figures and nuclear scientists, including Hossein Salami, commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and Maj Gen Mohammad Bagheri, overall commander of the Iranian army and the IRGC.

According to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), the strikes were aimed at thwarting Iran’s nuclear program, which Israel believes poses an existential threat.

“If not stopped, Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in a very short time,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The attack has sparked a significant escalation in tensions between Israel and Iran. Iran’s foreign ministry has condemned the attack, calling on countries worldwide to denounce Israel’s actions.

“The attack exposes global security to unprecedented threat,” the ministry said, adding that the US will be held responsible for the consequences.

The US has strongly denied any involvement in the attack. US President Donald Trump said he was aware of Israel’s plans beforehand but emphasized that the US played no part.

“Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb,” Trump said, expressing hope for renewed negotiations.

Global oil prices have surged over 10% following the news, amid concerns that the conflict could disrupt energy supplies. The UN chief has condemned the strikes, calling for maximum restraint to avoid deeper conflict.

Individuals confirmed dead include Hossein Salami, Commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps; Gholamali Rashid, Commander of Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters; Fereydoon Abbasi, Nuclear scientist and former head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization; Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, Nuclear scientist involved in Iran’s nuclear weapons program; Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of Iran’s armed forces.

Israel has declared a state of emergency, anticipating counter-attacks from Iran. The situation remains volatile, with uncertainty surrounding potential retaliatory actions.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

An Iranian court has reportedly sentenced Amir Hossein Maghsoudloo, popularly known as Tataloo, to death for blasphemy following an appeal.

Local media revealed that the decision came after the prosecutor objected to an earlier five-year prison sentence.

“The supreme court accepted the prosecutor’s objection,” reported Etemad, a reformist newspaper, on Sunday.

According to the paper, the case was reopened, and the defendant was subsequently sentenced to death for “insulting the prophet,” referring to Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

The ruling, however, is not final and may still be appealed, according to reports.

Tataloo, a 37-year-old underground musician who blends rap, pop, and R&B, had been living in Istanbul since 2018.

He was extradited to Iran by Turkish authorities in December 2023 and has been in detention ever since.

The singer was also sentenced to 10 years for allegedly promoting “prostitution” and faced charges in other cases, including spreading “propaganda” against the Islamic Republic and sharing “obscene content.”

Tataloo, who is known for his extensive tattoos, was once embraced by conservative Iranian politicians to appeal to liberal-minded youth.

In 2017, he even participated in a televised meeting with Iran’s ultra-conservative president at the time, Ebrahim Raisi, who later died in a helicopter crash.

In 2015, Tataloo released a song supporting Iran’s nuclear programme, which was part of a deal to dismantle it in exchange for sanctions relief.

This agreement, however, fell apart in 2018 during the presidency of Donald Trump.

By Uzair Adam

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian affirmed on Wednesday that while Iran is not seeking war, it will deliver a stronger response if Israel retaliates for the recent missile attack.

Speaking alongside Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, in Doha, Pezeshkian emphasized that Israel is pushing the region into conflict.

“We are not looking for war, but if Israel reacts, we will respond even more forcefully,” Pezeshkian stated, holding Israel accountable for escalating tensions.

The remarks follow Iran’s launch of about 200 missiles, including hypersonic weapons, towards Israel.

Although Israel intercepted most of the missiles, some damage was reported, including a school building, and two civilians sustained minor injuries from shrapnel.

Israeli military sources confirmed that some missiles landed near air force bases without causing significant damage.

Pezeshkian criticized Israel’s intentions, accusing it of creating instability in the region and called on the US and European nations to pressure Israel to halt its actions.

Meanwhile, Qatar’s Emir also condemned Israeli strikes on Lebanon and Gaza, warning that the region was being pushed to the brink of disaster.

Qatar remains committed to brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Thousands of Iranians gathered in the streets on Tuesday to bid a final farewell to President Ebrahim Raisi and seven members of his entourage who lost their lives in a tragic helicopter crash.

The mournful procession began at a central square in the northwestern city of Tabriz, the destination Raisi was headed to when the helicopter went down on Sunday.

With somber faces and waving Iranian flags, the crowd paid their respects to the late president and his companions, carrying portraits of Raisi as they marched through the streets.

The funeral procession was a poignant display of national grief and solidarity, as Iranians came together to honor the memory of their leader and the lives lost in the devastating crash.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

Adamu Sani Bello, a retired journalist and former civil servant from Bauchi State, is grappling with the distressing predicament of his son’s stranded status in Iran.

Despite graduating two years ago with a 75% scholarship, Bello’s son remains unable to return to Nigeria because of an unpaid university debt totaling $8,000.

Bello’s efforts to settle the remaining 25% of the debt have been thwarted by Nigeria’s economic woes, which have been exacerbated by rampant inflation.

Since his retirement, Bello has struggled to meet familial responsibilities amid challenging financial circumstances.

Desperate plea 

In a heartfelt three-minute video seen by The Daily Reality, Bello implores philanthropic individuals and nongovernmental organizations to come to his son’s rescue.

He reveals that his son, a trailblazer in dental surgery and the first Black student at his Iranian university, is unable to afford the $1,000 flight back to Nigeria.

The situation is dire as the expiration of his son’s residency visa looms.

Bello fears that his son may overstay his visa, compounding his already dire situation. 

Adding to the complexity, Iranian regulations prohibit students from seeking employment until they complete their studies.  

No way out 

With his passport also having expired in August, the young graduate finds himself trapped in a nightmarish limbo, devoid of job prospects and lacking the means to return home.

Bello’s desperate plea shows the urgent need for intervention to prevent his son from facing the harrowing prospect of incarceration in a foreign country.