by Promise Eze
Toyin Falola, a professor of history, has dismissed claims that Iran poses a direct threat to the United States, warning that any escalation in the Middle East would have consequences for Africa.
Falola spoke on Saturday at the February edition of ‘Diaspora Dialogues’, a virtual forum themed ‘Being African in Trump’s America in the Age of ICE Raids’.
The session was moderated by Osmund Agbo, alongside Farooq Kperogi and Moses Ochonu.
Challenging prevailing US narratives, Falola said they obscure deeper geopolitical realities and ignore how global power struggles often shift their burdens onto regions like Africa.
“Iran is not a threat to the US. Donald Trump says he is trying to mobilise Iranian citizens to overthrow their government, forgetting that no matter how you hate your government, when an imperialist comes, you can quickly become sympathetic of that very regime,” Falola said.
He noted that history shows external aggression tends to strengthen domestic solidarity rather than weaken regimes and that Africa cannot afford to see Middle East conflicts as distant events.
“Depending on your side of ideology, what is going on today is very tragic,” he said.
“This is going to affect Africa. If people think this will not affect them, then they do not understand how geopolitics works. Where Iran is located in its region is connected to Africa. Dubai is a hub; it has closed its airport since the attack on Iran.”
Falola warned that disruptions in key hubs quickly translate into economic, security and mobility shocks for African countries reliant on trade routes, remittances and travel networks. He also pointed to possible sectarian complications.
“We do not know how the Muslim population will react. They may say the Iranians are Shiite and decide to support the Sunnis. Hezbollah has indicated that it is going to get involved,” he said.
Falola warned that while rising tensions could boost Nigeria’s oil revenues, increased income alone would not guarantee development without a clear reform agenda.
— TheCable
