LAST UPDATE | 22 Jun

IRELAND HAS CALLED for an urgent de-escalation of tension and the use of diplomacy after the US bombed nuclear sites in Iran. 

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris has warned that the risk of an “extremely dangerous spiral of escalation”  in the Middle East is now “more real”, following US strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites.

Harris said there is an “urgent need for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy” to resolve the conflict. He added that he will discuss the issue tomorrow with his European counterparts in Brussels.

His comments were echoed by Taoiseach Micheál Martin. Both Harris and Martin said that Iran needs to step away from any possible development of nuclear weapons. 

“A negotiated solution is the way forward,” Martin said in a statement. 

“Iran should commit unequivocally to not developing nuclear weapons and disavow its uranium enrichment programme. Nuclear safety is an important issue here. Modern warfare is very destructive, and it is civilians who ultimately suffer.”

He stressed the importance of not losing sight of the “catastrophe that is still unfolding in Gaza”.

Sinn Féin’s Foreign Affairs spokesperson Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire issued a statement containing the same rhetoric.

Fianna Fáil’s MEP Barry Andrews also issued a statement, taking aim at the European Parliament’s response to ongoing and ascending issues in the Middle East, and took several swipes at President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen – whom he said had “embarrassed” the EU at the recent G7 Summit in Canada

“The EU must stop making itself irrelevant in the Middle East, and finally act by sanctioning Israeli trade with Europe,” Andrews concluded. He condemned the US strikes on Iran.

The government remains in contact with embassies in Israel and Iran. Staff in Tehran left the country on Friday and have since been working remotely.

Roughly 200 and 30 Irish citizen are currently in Israel and Iran, respectively. Support for those who wish to leave remains in place, Harris said.

Speaking to RTÉ Radio One this afternoon, Harris confirmed that a civil protection operation with EU member states is taking place in order to extract European citizens from the region.

He said while it is an ongoing operation, with further and more significant updates pending, only a small number of Irish citizens are seeking assistance from the joint mission currently.

US President Donald Trump announced “successful” strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities overnight, in a shock decision and major escalation in the war between Israel and Iran.

Israel launched its campaign against Iran two weeks ago over claims that the government there were developing nuclear weapons.

Harris said while Ireland is “united in the clear view” that Iran should not possess such weapons, the issue should be settled through diplomacy.

“Any alternative to that is simply too dangerous for civilians, for the Middle East region and for global security,” he said this morning.

Labour TD and party spokesperson for foreign affairs Duncan Smith said tomorrow’s Foreign Affairs Council of the EU meeting should maintain its focus on calling for a diplomatic solution, as well as debating the EU-Israel trade agreement.

Iran, in response, has launched up to 30 missiles towards Israel this morning, targeting sites such as the Ben Gurion International Airport and military hubs. Three bombs made impact at residential sites in Israel, it has been reported.

The Fine Gael leader welcomed initial reports that suggest there has not been an increase in off-site radiation levels as a result of the strikes on the facilities in Iran by the US last night.

He added that US or other interventions in the future should use the reports as a “warning as to how easily that could change should further escalation occur, and the disaster that could pose.” 

Radiation leaks from Iran’s facilities, the Fordow site in particular, could pollute a radius of up to 50km, it has been estimated, and cause severe and reactive dust storms right across the Middle East.

Global nuclear watchdog IAEA confirmed today that has been no increases in off-site radiation. An emergency meeting has been convened with the board of governors tomorrow.

Includes reporting by Emma Hickey