The United States Embassy in Nigeria has suspended all visa appointments in Abuja scheduled for Wednesday, March 4, 2026, citing a “high potential for protests” linked to escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
In a statement posted on its website, the embassy warned American citizens in the Federal Capital Territory to remain indoors and avoid public gatherings. “Previous protests by some groups have resulted in violent clashes between the groups and Nigerian security forces,” the advisory said. “The Embassy strongly recommends that all U.S. citizens in Abuja remain in their residences on Wednesday, March 4.”
The suspension follows U.S.-Israel airstrikes that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and several senior Iranian officials four days ago. Tehran retaliated with missile strikes targeting U.S. bases in Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, escalating the conflict.
The confrontation, now in its fifth day, has intensified global concerns. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Iran’s overtures for negotiations came too late. Speaking at the White House, he stated: “Their air defense, Air Force, Navy, and Leadership is gone. They want to talk. I said ‘Too Late!’”
Trump also justified the strikes as preventive measures against an imminent Iranian attack and suggested that U.S. actions may have forced Israel to act in coordination. He warned of the risk of a new hardline leader emerging in Iran, but said the operation had eliminated key successors to Khamenei.
Iran has rejected any possibility of dialogue. Mohammad Mokhber, a senior aide to the late Supreme Leader, emphasized Tehran’s resolve, declaring, “We can continue the war as long as we want.”
Meanwhile, Iran has commenced a three-day state funeral for Khamenei. According to the official Irna news agency, his body will lie in state at the Imam Khomenei Grand Mosque in Tehran before burial in his hometown of Mashhad. Khamenei was 86 at the time of his death.
The embassy’s decision to halt visa services highlights the local impact of the international crisis, with authorities warning of potential unrest in Abuja. U.S. citizens were advised to remain vigilant, monitor local media for updates, and follow all safety guidelines until the situation stabilizes.
The security advisory follows earlier global warnings issued by the U.S. State Department urging Americans worldwide to exercise heightened caution amid the ongoing hostilities with Iran.
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