Hon. Sodiq Omotayo Calls for Global De-escalation Amid Rising U.S.-Iran-Israel Tensions

 Hon. Sodiq Omotayo Calls for Global De-escalation Amid Rising U.S.-Iran-Israel Tensions

Nigeria’s peace advocate warns of catastrophic global consequences, urges diplomatic solution

As tensions in the Middle East reach critical levels following U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, Nigerian lawmaker and global peace advocate, Hon. Sodiq Omotayo, has called on the international community to urgently embrace diplomacy and restraint.

In a statement issued on Sunday, June 22, 2025, Hon. Omotayo described the escalating conflict between the United States, Israel, and the Islamic Republic of Iran as “a dangerous turning point” in international relations and a threat to global peace, stability, and economic security.

U.S. Strikes and Historical Context

Omotayo condemned the recent U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, warning that the strikes mark a major escalation in a long-simmering conflict rooted in failed diplomacy and broken international agreements.

He traced the crisis back to the 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which was signed under the Obama administration. The deal limited Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. However, the U.S. withdrawal from the agreement in 2018 under President Donald Trump, and the subsequent “maximum pressure” campaign, shattered trust and fueled Iran’s nuclear acceleration, Omotayo noted.

Israel’s Nuclear Ambiguity

The statement also criticized what Omotayo called the “double standard” surrounding Israel’s undeclared nuclear arsenal. While Iran remains a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Israel has never signed the accord and is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons, yet faces no formal international scrutiny.

Omotayo accused Israel of heightening regional tensions through covert operations within Iran, including sabotage and assassinations—actions which, he argued, contribute to Iran’s growing militarization and now risk drawing the region into open conflict.

Iran’s Vow of Retaliation

With Tehran threatening retaliation against both U.S. and Israeli targets, Omotayo warned that Iran’s response could include missile strikes, proxy attacks via Hezbollah and the Houthis, and even attempts to blockade the Strait of Hormuz—a strategic oil corridor vital to the global economy.

He stressed that any such developments would have far-reaching consequences, especially for oil-dependent countries like Nigeria. “This conflict, though far from our borders, will knock on our doors through rising fuel prices, economic shocks, and humanitarian crises,” he said.

Call for Global Action

Hon. Omotayo urged the United Nations, European Union, African Union, and world leaders to move swiftly toward de-escalation. He called for:

1. An immediate ceasefire and end to hostilities;

2. A revival of the Iran nuclear deal or a new agreement built on mutual trust;

3. A global dialogue on nuclear equity and disarmament;

4. Concrete protection of civilian lives and vital global infrastructure.

Nigeria’s Responsibility

He also emphasized Nigeria’s role in advocating peace, leveraging its diplomatic standing and moral authority to join the chorus for restraint. “Nigeria must not stand on the sidelines. Our voice matters. Our silence would be complicity,” Omotayo said.

A Plea for Peace

Concluding his statement with a heartfelt appeal, Omotayo reminded global leaders that “war is not inevitable” and that peace, while fragile, is still within reach.

“Let this be a moment where the world chooses wisdom over vengeance. Let us resist the temptation of power, and instead pursue the promise of peace—for our children, for the voiceless, and for generations yet unborn.”

Hon. Sodiq Omotayo, a prominent Nigerian political figure, is widely recognized for his international advocacy for peace, justice, and global cooperation.