Former Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, has strongly criticised the United States over what he described as threatening statements directed at Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Akinyemi said such threats violate both international and American laws.
During an interview on Wednesday, Akinyemi explained that no country has the legal right to threaten the life of a foreign head of state. He said, “It is against international law to threaten to assassinate a head of state. And incidentally, it is also against American law.”
He reminded viewers that the United States had once outlawed such actions after public revelations of CIA-led global assassinations. He referenced past Senate actions that condemned these practices. Akinyemi added that even under American law, threatening to kill a foreign leader is unacceptable.
He pointed to statements made by former President Donald Trump, quoting him as saying to the Iranian Supreme Leader: “We know where you are, and our patience is running out.” He asked, “What does that mean? That you are going to go out?”
He warned that if the same threats were made against the US, it would cause global outrage.
Iran-Israel Tensions and the US Role
Akinyemi criticised the US for its role in the growing tension between Iran and Israel. He accused Washington of giving Israel the go-ahead to act against Iran, saying this could lead the world into war.
“Rather than being an agent of peace and reconciliation, the United States is the one… about to precipitate World War,” he said.
The professor of international diplomacy described Trump’s actions as dangerous, warning about the global risks of unpredictable diplomacy.
He recalled being asked on the same programme four years ago to name the world’s most dangerous leaders. At the time, he said he named Benjamin Netanyahu and Ayatollah Khamenei. But in retrospect, “If Trump had been president then, I would have named three. He would have been on that list.”
He added that global peace is at risk when world leaders act in unpredictable ways. “In diplomacy, the most dangerous time is when you cannot predict the behaviour of the most powerful man in the world,” he said.
America’s Changing Position on Iran’s Military Activity
Akinyemi also chastised Washington’s shifting position on Iran and the recent Israel-Iran conflict. He said, “You started off deceiving us by saying you were not really consulted. Then it became, ‘they did it and informed us.’ Now the language is, ‘we have conquered the airspace of Iran.’”
He questioned why the US helped Iran develop nuclear capabilities during the time of the Shah but now condemns the same effort under the current regime. According to him, this reflects global double standards.
Nuclear Power and the Non-Proliferation Treaty
The former minister dismissed the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as unfair, saying the treaty locks weaker nations in a powerless state while giving strong nations the right to maintain nuclear weapons. He pointed to India, Pakistan, and Israel as examples of countries that have nuclear weapons but face no punishment.
He stated, “It’s sheer hypocrisy. If you’re on their side, you probably can break that monopoly and get away with it.” He added that the key to escaping punishment is to avoid being seen as a threat to the United States or its allies.
Akinyemi said he had opposed Nigeria’s decision to sign the treaty. He explained, “Unfortunately, we are still a signatory to that treaty, and it’s not going to do us any good unless we are happy to stay as we are.”
Nigeria’s Path to Power and a Nuclear Future
Responding to a viewer’s question, Akinyemi said diplomacy often operates on double standards. He noted, “The weak get clobbered and the strong get away. That’s how the world was created and it will continue to be that way.”
He said it is vital for Nigeria to build a strong economy and a strong defence. He said both must work together. Akinyemi revealed that decades ago, he had advocated for Nigeria to develop nuclear weapons. He recalled being mocked, with some people saying he needed to be examined mentally.
But now, he says time has proved him right. According to him, past Nigerian leaders like General Babangida and General Abacha supported his vision. He ended with an ominous statement: “Nigeria has the bomb.”
It is yet to be seen if the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the world took note of that.
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