- By Monsurat Aina | Premier World News | June 22, 2025 | Abuja, Nigeria
As rising tensions threaten to plunge the Middle East into another major conflict, Hon. Sodiq Omotayo, a Nigerian lawmaker and global advocate for peace, has issued a passionate and detailed statement calling for urgent diplomatic action amid escalating hostilities between the United States, Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Omotayo’s statement, released over the weekend, highlights the broader implications of the U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan.
He warned that the actions mark a dangerous tipping point in a crisis “decades in the making,” rooted in broken international agreements, political mistrust and an imbalanced nuclear framework.
Context and Crisis: A Brewing Storm
Tracing the origins of the crisis, Omotayo recalled the 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal (JCPOA), which placed strict controls on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.
The deal was later abandoned in 2018 by the Trump administration, a move Omotayo described as a “devastating breach of trust” that pushed Iran closer to militarization.
He also criticized the “nuclear hypocrisy” surrounding Israel’s undeclared nuclear arsenal, pointing out that while Iran remains a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Israel continues to evade international scrutiny, despite being widely believed to possess around 90 nuclear warheads.
Implications: Regional and Global Fallout
Omotayo warned of severe regional consequences should Iran follow through on threats of retaliation, including potential attacks on U.S. military bases, Israeli targets and allied interests in the Gulf.
A blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which handles over 20% of global oil shipments, would trigger a worldwide economic shock.
“Nigeria will not be spared,” he cautioned. “Global oil prices, trade stability, and security will all be disrupted. Our people will feel the impact at the pump, in the markets, and in their daily lives.”
A Call for Action: Rebuild Trust, Not Missiles
He urged the international community to step in immediately, listing four priorities:
- An immediate ceasefire and de-escalation on all sides;
- Renewed negotiations for a stronger, enforceable nuclear agreement;
- A global dialogue on nuclear equity and disarmament;
- Protection of civilian lives and global infrastructure.
Nigeria’s Role: Lead by Moral Example
Calling on President Bola Tinubu and Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Omotayo said,
“Africa must not be silent. Nigeria should leverage its diplomatic legacy and lead efforts within the African Union and United Nations to call for peace.”
Conclusion: “Peace Is Still an Option”
He concluded with a heartfelt plea for restraint:
“This is a moment to choose wisdom over vengeance, dialogue over devastation. Peace, though fragile, remains possible, if the world is courageous enough to pursue it”.
## Hon. Sodiq Omotayo is Global Advocate for Peace and Dialogue. Member, Nigerian National Assembly
