Iran’s foreign minister has warned the United Kingdom that Tehran considers Britain’s decision to allow the United States to use British military bases as “participation in aggression.”

Seyyed Abbas Araghchi criticised the UK’s “negative and biased” stance toward the US-Israeli assault on Iran during a call with his British counterpart.

Araghchi warned that granting America access to UK bases “will certainly be considered participation in aggression.”

However, in response to the allegation, a spokesperson of the UK Prime Minister told reporters the UK granted the United States access only “for a specific defensive and limited purpose” in response to Iran’s strikes across the Middle East.

“Our position has been crystal clear from the outset. We didn’t participate in the initial strikes, and we’re not getting drawn into the wider war,” the spokesperson said.

According to reports, the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer initially refused Washington’s request to use UK military bases for its attacks on Iran, with the PM considering the strikes illegal.

However, Starmer joined the defence against Iran’s retaliation after Iranian forces attacked British military assets in the Middle East.

It was reported earlier that Starmer said his country accepted a United States request to use British bases for defensive strikes against Iranian missiles in storage depots or launchers.

“The United States has requested permission to use British bases for that specific and limited defensive purpose. We have taken the decision to accept this request to prevent Iran firing missiles across the region,” Starmer said at the time.

Tehran’s warning escalates diplomatic tensions between Iran and Britain as the conflict between Iran and the United States and Israel enters its fourth week.

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A former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), has warned that depending only the Nigerian Army to address the insecurity situation in the country is not a wholesome approach.

Speaking in a recent interview on Channels Television, he argued that the fight against insurgency must involve every sector of the country.

Buratai pointed out that while troops have remained consistent in their field operations across various flashpoints, their efforts must be backed by improved governance, economic growth, and social programs from other government institutions and stakeholders.

According to him, although troops have continued operations in affected areas, efforts from government agencies, communities and other sectors are needed through governance, development and social programmes.

“The whole country is over-relying on the military,” he said, noting that several agencies and tiers of government have specific responsibilities in tackling insecurity.

The former army chief recalled that Nigeria’s National Security Strategy 2019 had already provided a broad plan that includes economic, social and infrastructure-based solutions.

However, he questioned whether the strategy has been consistently implemented over time.

He pointed out that ending insurgency goes beyond combat, adding that issues such as unemployment, poverty and poor infrastructure contribute to instability.

According to Buratai, the keys to defeating insurgency lie in fixing the root causes of unrest, such as poverty, unemployment, and the lack of basic amenities. He specifically mentioned that the dilapidated state of roads in conflict zones is a major setback for the military.

“In some instances, an operation that should take two hours could take up to five hours due to bad roads,” he said, adding that such delays create opportunities for insurgents to plant explosives and stage ambushes.

He noted that improving infrastructure, especially roads, would boost military effectiveness and reduce risks faced by personnel in the field.

Buratai also urged state governments to take stronger steps in addressing the root causes of insecurity by focusing on youth development.

He said engaging young people through job creation, skills training, and economic empowerment is important in preventing their involvement in violent activities.

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The Presidency on Friday dismissed reports claiming that Nigeria had agreed to accept foreign deportees under a new migration agreement with the United Kingdom, clarifying that the deal applies only to Nigerian citizens residing illegally in the UK.

The clarification was issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, amid what he described as widespread misinformation.

In a statement shared via his 𝕏 handle, Ajayi explained that the agreement, signed during President Bola Tinubu’s recent state visit to the UK, is limited in scope.

“For clarity, it is important to state that the agreement only relates to Nigerians who do not have legal status to live and remain in the UK,” he said.

He stressed that Nigeria is not obligated to accept deportees who are not its citizens.

“Nigeria is not taking back non-Nigerians. The UK government is not compelling Nigeria to take those who are not our citizens,” Ajayi added.

The agreement was executed by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on behalf of Nigeria, and the UK Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, representing the British government.

According to the Presidency, the pact focuses on the return of Nigerians without legal residency status in the UK.

Ajayi further assured that the agreement includes provisions for the humane treatment of returnees in line with Nigerian laws and international standards.

He added that Nigerians returned under the framework would still have the opportunity to reapply for entry into the UK, subject to meeting immigration requirements.

Corroborating the Presidency’s position, the Ministry of Interior said the agreement establishes a structured system for the “dignified return and reintegration of Nigerians who do not have the legal right to remain in the UK.”

The ministry outlined key features of the deal, including secure travel documentation, thorough identity verification, and special protections for vulnerable individuals, particularly victims of human trafficking.

It also highlighted provisions for enhanced cooperation between Nigeria and the UK in areas such as information sharing, training, capacity building, and joint research on migration and border security.

The Federal Government maintained that the agreement represents a lawful and balanced approach to migration issues while safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty.

Ajayi said the clarification became necessary due to “misleading narratives” suggesting a broader deportation arrangement, insisting that such claims were inaccurate.

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