The United States Embassy in Nigeria has cancelled all visa appointments scheduled for Wednesday, March 4, 2026, citing a high likelihood of protests in Abuja amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran.
In a statement published on its website, the U.S. Embassy in Abuja warned of “potential demonstrations” in the Federal Capital Territory and advised American citizens to remain indoors.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja informs U.S. citizens that there is a high potential for protests in Abuja tomorrow, March 4, 2026, due to the current conflict with Iran,” the statement read.
It noted that previous protests by some groups had resulted in violent clashes with Nigerian security forces and strongly recommended that all U.S. citizens in Abuja stay in their residences on the affected date.
The security alert comes four days after joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, along with several other top Iranian officials. The development has significantly heightened hostilities in the Middle East.
In response, Iran launched multiple missiles targeting U.S. military bases in Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, vowing to avenge the deaths of its top leadership. The conflict, which began with coordinated U.S. and Israeli strikes over the weekend, entered its fifth day on Wednesday with no sign of de-escalation.
On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump said it was too late for Iran to pursue negotiations, despite signals from Tehran indicating an interest in talks.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “Their air defense, Air Force, Navy, and Leadership is gone. They want to talk. I said ‘Too Late!’”
Speaking to reporters at the White House during a meeting with Friedrich Merz, Trump claimed the strikes had caused extensive damage to Iran’s military capabilities.
“Just about everything’s been knocked out,” he said.
Trump also asserted that Iran had been preparing to launch an attack before the U.S. and Israeli operation, contradicting earlier remarks by Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggesting Israel initiated the conflict.
“I think they were going to attack first, and I didn’t want that to happen. So, if anything, I might have forced Israel’s hand,” Trump stated.
Addressing concerns about potential fallout, Trump said the worst-case scenario would be the emergence of a new leader similar to Khamenei.
“I guess the worst case would be, we do this, and then somebody takes over who’s as bad as the previous person,” he said. “That could happen. We don’t want that to happen.”
Meanwhile, Iran has ruled out engaging the United States in dialogue. Mohammad Mokhber, a senior aide to the late supreme leader, declared there was “no basis for any negotiations,” adding that Iran could “continue the war as long as we want.”
Iran’s official news agency also announced plans for a three-day state funeral for Khamenei. According to reports, the late leader will be buried in his home city of Mashhad after funeral rites in Tehran.
Khamenei was 86 years old at the time of his death.
