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Iran Seeks Russia’s Support After US Strike On Nuclear Facilities, Sends Foreign Minister To Moscow

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12 months ago

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Iran has turned to Russia for stronger support following the most significant American military strike against the Islamic Republic since the 1979 revolution.

Reuters reports that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Monday sent Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi to Moscow with a message for Russian President Vladimir Putin, seeking deeper cooperation in the face of growing threats from the United States and Israel.

 

According to a senior source who spoke to Reuters, Araqchi is expected to deliver a letter from Khamenei directly to Putin, appealing for greater backing as Tehran grapples with intensified U.S. hostility.

Over the weekend, U.S. forces launched an aggressive strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, escalating tensions that have been simmering for years.

 

President Donald Trump and Israeli leaders have recently made inflammatory comments about regime change in Iran and even speculated about targeting Khamenei himself.

 

While Russian President Putin has denounced Israel’s recent airstrikes in the region, he has so far remained silent on the U.S. strike against Iran’s nuclear sites.

 

Last week, he merely called for restraint and reiterated Russia’s willingness to mediate in the nuclear standoff.

Iranian officials reportedly believe that Russia’s support has been underwhelming so far.

 

Sources close to Iran told Reuters that the Islamic Republic is pressing Putin to offer more concrete backing in its confrontation with Washington and Tel Aviv, though they did not specify what form of assistance Iran is requesting.

 

The Kremlin confirmed that President Putin would meet with Araqchi but did not disclose any details of their planned discussion. Araqchi, speaking to Russia’s TASS news agency, said that Iran and Russia were actively “coordinating their positions on the current escalation in the Middle East.”

 

Russia has long been a strategic partner of Iran and remains a key player in nuclear negotiations as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council and a signatory to the 2015 nuclear deal that President Trump unilaterally abandoned in 2018 during his first term.

 

However, with Russian forces deeply entrenched in a prolonged war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year, Putin appears reluctant to be drawn into a direct confrontation with the United States on Iran’s behalf, even as Trump signals interest in repairing relations with Russia.

 

SaharaReporters had also reported that Iran’s parliament over the weekend, voted in favour of shutting down the Strait of Hormuz following a series of US military strikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities.

 

The waterway, which handles around 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas shipments, is crucial for major producers such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

 

Any disruption to shipping through the strait would likely trigger a surge in global oil prices and could complicate the movement of American naval forces in the Persian Gulf.

 

Iranian state television reported that the country’s Supreme National Security Council would make the final decision on the proposed closure.

 

Esmail Kosari, a senior commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, told the Young Journalist Club that the move “will be done whenever necessary”.

 

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking during a live interview on FOX News, issued a strong warning to Iran over the proposed closure of Strait of Hormuz.

 

“If they do that, it will be another terrible mistake. It’s economic suicide for them if they do it, and we retain options to deal with that,” he said.

 

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NATIONAL NEWS

NSA Nuhu Ribadu confirmed El-Rufai tapped his phone, according to the DSS in a Federal High Court Abuja investigation

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3 weeks ago

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May 19, 2026

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The trial of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai on charges of treason and breach of national security continued on Monday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, with prosecutors presenting a television interview in which he allegedly discussed receiving a wiretapped conversation involving the National Security Adviser (NSA).

During the proceedings, the prosecution played a 43-minute TV interview featuring El-Rufai, in which he reportedly stated that someone had intercepted a private conversation involving the NSA and forwarded it to him. In the interview, the former governor was said to have defended the practice, claiming that governments routinely monitor communications.

A prosecution witness testified that investigators interviewed the National Security Adviser following the broadcast. The NSA verbally confirmed that the conversation referenced by El-Rufai had taken place between him and the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The ICPC Chairman also corroborated the existence of the discussion after portions of the interview were played to him.

The court heard that the TV anchor, Charles Aniagolu, activist-lawyer Deji Adeyanju, and the cameraman were invited for questioning. Aniagolu reportedly confirmed that El-Rufai admitted during the interview that the conversation was intercepted and passed to him, while reiterating that such practices are common among governments.

The prosecution tendered statements from Aniagolu and Adeyanju, which were admitted without objection from the defence as Exhibits C, C1, and E respectively. A statement from the cameraman, Ugochukwu Agalayana, was admitted as Exhibit D. Agalayana confirmed setting up the recording equipment but said he did not follow the content of the conversation.

According to the witness, investigators viewed El-Rufai’s remarks in the interview as an “open confession” regarding the interception of the NSA’s conversation. The team concluded that the act could undermine national security and recommended prosecution. A preliminary investigation report was admitted as Exhibit F.

Under cross-examination by defence counsel Paul Erokoro, the witness admitted that investigators did not examine any communication devices belonging to the NSA, obtain IP addresses, or carry out forensic analysis of the alleged interception. He explained, however, that such steps were deemed unnecessary after the NSA confirmed the authenticity of the conversation.

The witness acknowledged that El-Rufai did not claim in the interview to have personally carried out the interception, but maintained that the former governor repeatedly stood by the assertion that the conversation had been tapped and forwarded to him. When asked if El-Rufai might have been boasting in a politically charged appearance, the witness described him as “a person of integrity” and said he believed the statements were genuine.

After the cross-examination of the first prosecution witness, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the matter to June 22 and 23 for continuation of hearing.

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Abia APC Congratulates Ikpeazu on Ambassadorial Appointment

Published

3 months ago

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March 6, 2026

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The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has congratulated former Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, on his appointment as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain.

In a statement issued by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Uche Aguoru, the APC described the appointment as recognition of Dr. Ikpeazu’s experience in public service and his contributions to governance during his tenure as governor.

The party noted that the new diplomatic role provides another opportunity for the former governor to serve the country while helping to strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and Spain.

According to the statement, the Abia APC expressed optimism that Ikpeazu would leverage his administrative experience to advance Nigeria’s diplomatic and economic interests in the European nation.

The party also wished him success in the assignment and prayed for wisdom and good health as he undertakes the responsibility of representing Nigeria abroad.

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Tinubu Appoints Ikpeazu as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain

Published

3 months ago

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March 6, 2026

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially appointed former Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain. The appointment comes amid a series of diplomatic postings announced by the President today.

The posting marks a significant transition for Ikpeazu, who served as Abia State governor from 2015 to 2023. His tenure was noted for various infrastructural and policy initiatives, and he now takes on a crucial role representing Nigeria’s interests in Europe.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, confirmed that Ikpeazu’s appointment is part of a broader diplomatic reshuffle aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s foreign relations.

Spain, a key partner in trade, investment, and cultural exchange, is regarded as a strategic posting for the former governor.

STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT TINUBU APPROVES THE POSTINGS OF AMBASSADORS

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the postings of 31 career and 34 non-career ambassadors to various countries and the United Nations. The Senate confirmed the ambassadors-designate last December.

POSTINGS OF NON-CAREER AMBASSADORS / HIGH COMMISSIONERS

S/N NAME MISSION APPROVED
1. SENATOR GRACE BENT: LOME-TOGO
2. SEN. ITA ENANG: SOUTH AFRICA
3. IKPEAZU VICTOR: SPAIN
4. NKECHI LINDA UFOCHUKWU: TEL-AVIV, ISRAEL
5. MAHMUD YAKUBU: QATAR
6. PAUL OGA ADIKWU: THE VATICAN CITY HOLY SEE
7. VICE ADMIRAL IBOK-ETE EKWE IBAS: THE PHILIPPINES
8. MR. RENO OMOKRI: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
9. HON. (ENGR.) ABASI BRAIMAH (FMHR): BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
10. MRS. ERELU ANGELA ADEBAYO: PORTUGAL
11. BARR. OLUMILUA OLUWAYIMIKA AYOTUNWA: TOKYO, JAPAN
12. RT. HON. UGWUANYI IFEANYI LAWRENCE: ATHENS, GREECE
13. BARR. CHIOMA PRISCILLA OHAKIM: WARSAW, POLAND
14. AMINU DALHATU: UNITED KINGDOM, UK
15. LT. GEN ABDULRAHMAN BELLO DAMBAZAU: BEIJING, CHINA
16. HON. TASIU MUSA MAIGARI: GAMBIA
17. OLUFEMI PEDRO: AUSTRALIA
18. BARR. MUHAMMED UBANDOMA ALIYU: ARGENTINA
19. LATEEF KAYODE ARE: USA
20. AMB. JOSEPH SOLA IJI: RUSSIA
21. SEN. JIMOH IBRAHIM: UN PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE
22. FEMI FANI KAYODE: GERMANY
23. PROF. ISAAK FOLORUNSO ADEWOLE: OTTAWA, CANADA
24. AJIMOBI FATIMA FLORENCE (F): AUSTRIA
25. MRS. LOLA AKANDE (F): SWEDEN
26. AYODELE OKE: FRANCE
27. YAKUBU N. GAMBO: SAUDI ARABIA
28. SENATOR PROF. NORA LADI DADUUT: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
29. BARR. ONUEZE CHUKWUJIKA JOE OKOCHA SAN: DUBLIN
30. DR. KULU HARUNA ABUBAKAR: TUNIS, TUNISIA
31. RT. HON. JERRY SAMUEL MANWE: PORT OF SPAIN, T&T

POSTINGS OF CAREER AMBASSADORS / HIGH COMMISSIONERS LIST

S/N NAME MISSION APPROVED
1. AMB. NWABIOLA EZENWA CHUKWUMEKA: COTE D’IV/OIRE
2. BESTO MAIMUNA IBRAHIM: NIAMEY-NIGER
3. MONICA OKWUCHUKWU ENEBECHI: SAO TOME, STP
4. AMB. MOHAMMED MAHMUD LELE: ALGIERS-ALGERIA
5. ENDONI SYNDOPH PAEBI: OUAGADOUGOU-BURKINA FASO
6. AHMED MOHAMMED MONGUNO: CAIRO EGYPT
7. AMB.JANE ADAMS (NEE OKON) MICHAEL (F): KINGSTON-JAMAICA
8. AMB. CLARK-OMERU ALEXANDRA (F): LUSAKA-ZAMBIA
9. CHIMA GEOGGREY LIOMA DAVID: BAMAKO-MALI
10. AMB. ODUMAH YVONNE EHINOSEN: MALABO –E/GUINEA
11. AMB WASA SEGUN IGE: BEIRUT, LEBANON
12. RUBEN ABIMBOLA SAMUEL (F): ROME, ITALY
13. AMB.ONAGA OGECHUKWU KINGSLEY: MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE
14. AMB.MAGAJI UMAR: KINSASHA, DR CONGO
15. AMB.MUHAMMAD SAIDU DAHIRU: NEW DELHI-INDIA
16. AMB. ABDUSSALAM HABU ZAYYAD: DAKAR-SENEGAL
17. AMB SHEHU ILU BARDE: ACCRA GHANA
18. AMB.AMINU NASIR: ETHIOPIA
19. ABUBAKAR MUSA MUSA: N’DJAMENA, CHAD
20. AMB. HAIDARA MOHAMMED IDRIS: THE HAGUE-NETHERLANDS
21. AMB.BAKO ADAMU UMAR: RABAT-MOROCCO
22. AMB. SULU GAMBARI OLATUNJI AHMED: MALAYSIA
23. AMB.ROMATA MOHAMMED OMOBOLANLE (F): TANZANIA
24. AMB. SHAGA JOHN SHAMAH: BOTSWANA
25. SALAU, HAMZA MOHAMMED: TEHRAN, IRAN
26. AMB.IBRAHIM DANLAMI: KENYA
27. IBRAHIM ADEOLA MOPELOLA (F): COTONOU-BENIN
28. AMB.AYENI ADEBAYO EMMANUEL: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
29. AMB.AKANDE WAHAB ADEKOLA: BERNE-SWITZERLAND
30. AMB. AREWA (NEE ADEDOKUN) ESTHER (F): WINDHOEK-NAMIBIA
31. AMB.GERGADI JOSEPH JOHN: LIBREVILLE-GABON
32. AMB. LUTHER OGBOMODE AYO-KALATA (F): SIERRA LEONE
33. DANLADI YAKUBU NYAKU : KHARTOUM-SUDAN
34. BELLO DOGON-DAJI HALIRU: BANGKOK, THAILAND

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already received agrément from the United Kingdom for the High Commissioner-designate, Ambassador Aminu Dalhatu. Similarly, France has sent the agrément for Ambassador Ayo Oke.

The Ministry has also conveyed the nominations of the other 62 designated envoys to all the countries concerned, including a request for their agréments in line with standard diplomatic practice.

President Tinubu has directed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should immediately commence the induction programme for the ambassadors-designate and High Commissioners.

Bayo Onanuga,
Special Adviser to the President,
(Information and Strategy)
March 6, 2026

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