Nigeria’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, has criticised what he described as the Western world’s hypocrisy in handling global nuclear policy, accusing the United States of fuelling tensions in the Middle East by encouraging aggressive posturing against Iran.

Speaking on Arise TV on Wednesday, about the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, Akinyemi condemned the long-standing practice of nuclear exceptionalism, where certain powerful nations retain exclusive rights to nuclear armament, while others are denied the same. He warned that such double standards are not only unjust but risk further destabilising global peace.

“Weak countries are logged into that weak status, while the important and powerful countries are asked to have the monopoly of nuclear weapons,” Akinyemi said. “I’ve never believed any country should have a culture that gives it that monopoly, it is sheer hypocrisy.”

The respected diplomat cited the cases of India, Pakistan, and Israel, nations that possess nuclear capabilities but have either avoided international sanctions or refused to acknowledge their arsenals. “If you’re on the side of the West, particularly the United States, you can break that monopoly and get away with it,” he added.

Akinyemi was particularly critical of recent rhetoric from U.S. President Donald Trump, which he said amounted to a veiled threat against Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “To say ‘we know where you are and our patience is running out’ what does that mean? That the United States is considering assassination?” he asked.

He recalled the U.S. Church Committee of the 1970s, which led to a ban on assassinating foreign leaders. “It’s against international law. It’s also against American law,” he said. “And yet, we are hearing statements that threaten to repeat such illegal practices.”

Akinyemi accused the United States of failing in its global leadership role and instead emboldening Israel to take unilateral action against Iran, escalating an already volatile situation. “Rather than acting as an agent of peace and reconciliation, the U.S. has given Israel the nod to proceed and is on the brink of precipitating war.”

His remarks come amid mounting international concern over the ongoing military confrontation between Israel and Iran, with recent strikes and counter-threats pushing the region closer to direct conflict.

Many have been reportedly killed between the two countries as the confrontations enter the sixth day.

The former minister urged renewed global commitment to nuclear disarmament and respect for international law, warning that the world cannot afford another catastrophic war born out of diplomatic recklessness.