**Iran's Claim of Self-Defence in the Gulf Falls Apart** For years, the Gulf states have been trying to broker peace between Iran and the West, but their efforts have been met with hostility. Countries like Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia have engaged in diplomatic efforts to ease tensions, but Iran has instead chosen to attack them. The idea that these Gulf states are morally responsible for protecting Iran from the consequences of its actions is now laughable, especially considering Iran's response was a barrage of ballistic missiles. Iran's argument is built on shaky ground, resting on three main points. Firstly, they claim they acted in lawful self-defence, citing Article 51 of the UN Charter. However, this claim fails to meet the required legal threshold. The UN Charter only permits the use of force in self-defence against a clear "armed attack", which is a term that has been strictly defined by the International Court of Justice. Iran's attack on Gulf states does not meet this definition. Secondly, Iran argues that host countries relinquished their territorial sovereignty by allowing US military bases on their soil. However, this is a flawed argument as it misinterprets the concept of territorial sovereignty. The presence of foreign military bases does not diminish a country's sovereignty, and Iran's attack on these bases is not justified. Lastly, Iran claims that the definition of aggression in Resolution 3314 justifies their attack on the US military bases as lawful military objectives. However, this argument is also flawed as it ignores the context of the resolution, which was adopted in response to the Korean War. The resolution was not intended to be used as a justification for aggressive military action. Iran's arguments collectively threaten to destabilize the Gulf region, undermine the principles of international law, and even reinforce the very security threats they claim to be reacting to. It's a curious twist that highlights the complexity of international relations and the need for nations to adhere to established norms and laws. For Nigeria, which has its own share of security challenges in the Gulf of Guinea, the Iran-Gulf states conflict serves as a reminder of the importance of diplomacy and adherence to international law in resolving conflicts.