Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
LAST UPDATE | 23 mins ago
MINISTER FOR FOREIGN Affairs and Defence Helen McEntee said she is “deeply concerned” at the US and Israeli attack on Iran today.
US President Donald Trump and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu separately confirmed they had begun strikes on Iran this morning. Plumes of smoke have been seen over the country and in Doha, the Qatari capital.
Iran’s foreign ministry vowed to “respond decisively”.
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said in a statement that the US and Israeli militaries had conducted “close and joint planning” in the months preceding the strike.
Describing any further conflict as “profoundly unhelpful”, McEntee issued a call on all sides to de-escalate.
“We had hoped that it would be possible to reach a diplomatic agreement to resolve international concerns about Iran’s nuclear programme. Ireland was a strong supporter of the JCPOA and of subsequent dialogue and diplomacy for this very reason,” she said, adding that she was urging all parties to return to negotiations.
“We hope also that other States in the region will exercise restraint – a wider conflict will increase regional instability.”
There are a small number of Irish citizens in Iran, most of whom have been resident in the country for many years, the Minister said. Irish embassies in the region are “actively engaged to support Irish citizens who are affected”.
“Our travel advice remains that Irish citizens should not undertake travel to Iran. We also advise against travel to Israel.
“Our advice at this time to citizens in the region is to shelter in place. You should follow the directions of the local authorities and advice issued on social media by the Irish Embassy to your country of residence.”
McEntee said she will remain in close contact with EU and international partners as the situation continues to evolve.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said in a statement this afternoon that he is “deeply concerned by developments in Iran and the real potential that exists for escalation and wider conflict in the region”.
“I strongly urge all parties to exercise restraint and to work to avoid that outcome,” he added, though he stopped short of outright condemning the US-Israeli attacks on Iran.
“Ireland has always believed that conflict should be resolved through diplomacy and negotiation, in line with the principles of the UN Charter and international law. That must apply in this situation as much as in any other.
“The protection of civilian life in Iran, in Israel and in all neighbouring countries must now be paramount.
“There can be no question but that the regime in Iran is a brutal and repressive one.”
Numerous airlines cancelled their flights to the Middle East and grounded flights in the region in the wake of the US and Israel’s strikes on Iran.
Airlines including Air France, Lufthansa, British Airways, Turkish Airlines, SWISS, and Air India announced they would be suspending flights to areas in the Middle East.
In a statement this afternoon, Dublin Airport confirmed that a number of flights from Dublin airport have been cancelled today.
Two Emirates flights from Dublin to Dubai were cancelled this morning, and another flight which had departed Dublin en route to Dubai was forced to return to Dublin.
Qatar Airways has also cancelled all remaining services today between Doha and Dublin Airport.
Iran, Iraq, Israel, Syria, Kuwait and the UAE all announced at least partial closures of their skies in the hours after smoke began rising over Tehran and Iran began retaliatory attacks in the region.
The Irish embassy in Saudi Arabia, which also covers Bahrain, Oman, and Yemen, urged Irish citizens in Bahrain to shelter in place and avoid unnecessary movement “given the deterioration of the security situation in Bahrain”.
In light of the current security situation, Irish citizens are advised that they should not travel to the Gulf Region until further notice.
— IrishEmbRiyadh (@IrishEmbRiyadh) February 28, 2026
Citizens Register:https://t.co/Cpv35ahaIB
Out of Hours (genuine emergencies only):
+966 11 407 1530
“Irish citizens are also advised to avoid military and security force installations,” the embassy said on social media.
Irish citizens have been warned by the embassy not to travel to the Gulf region until further notice “in light of the current security situation”.
The UK has warned its citizens in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE to take shelter. Iranian missile attacks have been reported at US military bases in the four countries.
The EU said it was withdrawing non-essential personnel from the Middle East, describing developments across the region as “perilous”.
“The latest developments across the Middle East are perilous. Iran’s regime has killed thousands. Its ballistic missile and nuclear programmes, along with support for terror groups, pose a serious threat to global security,” the EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, wrote on social media.
“Protection of civilians and international humanitarian law is a priority. Our consular network is fully engaged in facilitating departures for EU citizens. Non-essential EU personnel are being withdrawn from the region.”
Irish MEP Barry Andrews and Labour’s foreign affairs spokesperson Duncan Smith condemned the attack on Iran.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say