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LAST UPDATE | 17 Jun
IRISH EMBASSIES IN Iran and Israel have been in touch with Irish passport holders residing in both countries as it considers evacuation plans following the escalation between the two countries.
Iran and Israel have been arch-foes for decades but are now actively attacking each other after Israel launched attacks on Iran on Friday.
According to figures released by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office yesterday, a total of 24 people have been killed in Israel since the first Iranian shots fired in response to the Israeli strikes on Friday.
Iran’s health ministry reported at least 224 people killed and more than 1,200 wounded in Israeli attacks in the same time frame.
It is understood that as of today, there are no plans for the Irish government to launch a rescue of Irish citizens currently residing in either country, nor are there plans to sent an Emergency Consular Assistance Team (ECAT) to either country. An ECAT would be comprised of an Army Ranger Wing Team and diplomats from the Department of Foreign Affairs.
It is also understood that there is a scoping exercise ongoing between Ireland and a number of other European countries to assess the situation.
This morning, Tánaiste Simon Harris attended a meeting of EU foreign ministers to discuss the conflict between Israel and Iran and EU efforts “to de-escalate the situation”.
Harris, who attended the emergency conference by video link, confirmed the number of Irish citizens known to be in either country.
Speaking to media this morning, Harris said that he will “call for a de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy” at the meeting and for “the European Union to stand ready to assist in any way that it possibly can”.
“There has to be a focus on how we can evacuate our citizens, including Irish citizens, who want to leave Iran and want to leave Israel,” he said.
“This morning, I spoke with our ambassador in Tel Aviv and our ambassador in Iran to get an update on the number of Irish citizens seeking assistance.
“We now have around 30 people registered in Iran as Irish citizens – many of them are long-term residents in Iran – and in Israel we have around 200 people on our citizens’ register there.
“I think it’s so important that Europe today considers how we can much better co-ordinate in terms of how we get our citizens out of Israel and out of Iran if and when it’s safe to do or if and when routes become available.”
Yesterday, several Irish MEPs slammed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for publicly supporting Israel and placing blame on Iran in the escalating Middle East conflict, accusing her of acting without the consensus or mandate of EU member states.
In a statement on Sunday evening, following a call with Netanyahu, von der Leyen claimed that Iran “is the main source of regional instability” in the Middle East and implied that the nation was at fault for the ongoing conflict with Israel.
In the statement following her call with Netanyahu, von der Leyen pointed to the UN nuclear watchdog’s finding earlier in the week that Iran was not in compliance with its obligations.
“In this context, I underlined that Israel has the right to defend itself,” she said.
“Europe has always been clear: Iran can never acquire a nuclear weapon. There is an urgent need for a negotiated solution,” she said.
Harris said earlier that Irish embassies in Tehran and Tel Aviv are in “close contact” with Irish citizens on the ground.
“Any Irish citizens in the region are advised to remain in close contact with their nearest Embassy, to be vigilant, and to follow the advice of local authorities, including any orders to shelter in place. We continue to advise against all travel to Iran and Israel for Irish citizens.”
Additional reporting by Niall O’Connor and Lauren Boland
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