‘Urgent' need for de-escalation after US strikes on Iran
Simon Harris said a 'dangerous' escalation between Iran and Israel is more real and more likely than ever before.
Mr Harris, who is also Ireland's deputy premier, said staff from the Irish embassy in Tehran left the country on Friday, and that he is being updated on Irish peacekeepers stationed in Lebanon.
'I am closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East following military action by the United States on three nuclear facilities in Iran overnight,' Mr Harris said.
'The risk of an extremely dangerous spiral of escalation in relation to Iran and Israel is now more real and more likely than ever before.
'There is an urgent need for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy. This has been the focus of my engagement with EU partners and countries in the region since this current crisis began. It will remain Ireland's priority in the hours and days ahead.'
Mr Harris said Ireland and Europe are 'fully united in the clear view' that Iran should not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons.
'The way to address this was always through a negotiated solution. Any alternative to that is simply too dangerous for civilians, for the Middle East region and for global security.'
He said the International Atomic Energy Agency's statement on Sunday is 'a stark reminder of these dangers'.
He added: 'While there is no initial reporting of any increase in off-site radiation levels as a result of overnight developments, it is a warning as to how easily that could change should further escalation occur, and the disaster that could pose.
'Together with my EU counterparts, we will in the coming hours and days discuss and review the latest developments and consider the next steps Europe can usefully play to support de-escalation.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Argus
an hour ago
- South Wales Argus
Irish deputy premier to attend EU ministers summit in wake of US attack on Iran
Simon Harris, who is also Ireland's foreign affairs minister, said the attack was an 'extraordinarily dangerous escalation' in an already 'volatile' situation in the Middle East. He is to attend a meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers in Brussels on Monday, where the growing crisis in the Middle East will be discussed among other topics. I can confirm that 15 🇮🇪 citizens and their dependents have been successfully evacuated from 🇮🇱 today. Grateful to 🇦🇹 and our teams in Tel Aviv, Dublin & the region for their tireless work. We remain in close contact with all Irish citizens in the region. — Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) June 22, 2025 Tensions in the Middle East boiled over 10 days ago when Israel launched strikes on Tehran, targeting the country's nuclear programme. Israel and Iran have been exchanging strikes with one another since, rekindling fears of a full-scale conflict. On Saturday the US weighed in, sending planes and submarines to attack Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz, which are linked to Iran's nuclear programme. Tehran threatened to retaliate, while US President Donald Trump warned of further action if necessary. Statement by Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Middle East — Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) June 22, 2025 Speaking ahead of the EU meeting on Monday, Mr Harris said there needed to be 'a diplomatic solution' to Iran's nuclear programme. The Tanaiste said that urgent de-escalation and diplomacy are 'crucial', and the EU 'has a role to play in charting a way forward'. He said he would also be calling for 'swift and concrete actions' in response to the EU's review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. 'We must also maintain a strong focus on the situation in Gaza, which remains catastrophic,' he added. 'I call on Israel to lift its blockade on aid into Gaza. The situation in the West Bank also continues to be unacceptable. 'The EU can and must provide leadership on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, on the release of hostages, on preserving the two-State solution, and on efforts to support peace and stability in the Middle East.' We will have a Security College on Wednesday, focused on the escalating situation in the Middle East and its effects on Europe. — Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) June 22, 2025 EU ministers are expected to discuss the latest developments, the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, and the review of Israel's compliance with Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. Among the other topics to be discussed are the Russian invasion of Ukraine, EU engagement with China, and Georgia. Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha will also attend the summit and provide an update. The discussion on China is expected to prepare for the upcoming EU-China Strategic Dialogue and EU-China Summit. Mr Harris added: 'I will be underlining the need to demonstrate our unity and collective backing for Ukraine in the face of Russia's ongoing aggression. 'Recent weeks have seen a significant escalation in brutal Russian air attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. These are not the action of a country interested in peace.'
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
Irish deputy premier to attend EU ministers summit in wake of US attack on Iran
He is to attend a meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers in Brussels on Monday, where the growing crisis in the Middle East will be discussed among other topics. I can confirm that 15 🇮🇪 citizens and their dependents have been successfully evacuated from 🇮🇱 today. Grateful to 🇦🇹 and our teams in Tel Aviv, Dublin & the region for their tireless work. We remain in close contact with all Irish citizens in the region. — Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) June 22, 2025 Tensions in the Middle East boiled over 10 days ago when Israel launched strikes on Tehran, targeting the country's nuclear programme. Israel and Iran have been exchanging strikes with one another since, rekindling fears of a full-scale conflict. On Saturday the US weighed in, sending planes and submarines to attack Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz, which are linked to Iran's nuclear programme. Tehran threatened to retaliate, while US President Donald Trump warned of further action if necessary. Statement by Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Middle East — Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) June 22, 2025 Speaking ahead of the EU meeting on Monday, Mr Harris said there needed to be 'a diplomatic solution' to Iran's nuclear programme. The Tanaiste said that urgent de-escalation and diplomacy are 'crucial', and the EU 'has a role to play in charting a way forward'. He said he would also be calling for 'swift and concrete actions' in response to the EU's review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. 'We must also maintain a strong focus on the situation in Gaza, which remains catastrophic,' he added. 'I call on Israel to lift its blockade on aid into Gaza. The situation in the West Bank also continues to be unacceptable. 'The EU can and must provide leadership on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, on the release of hostages, on preserving the two-State solution, and on efforts to support peace and stability in the Middle East.' We will have a Security College on Wednesday, focused on the escalating situation in the Middle East and its effects on Europe. — Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) June 22, 2025 EU ministers are expected to discuss the latest developments, the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, and the review of Israel's compliance with Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. Among the other topics to be discussed are the Russian invasion of Ukraine, EU engagement with China, and Georgia. Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha will also attend the summit and provide an update. The discussion on China is expected to prepare for the upcoming EU-China Strategic Dialogue and EU-China Summit. Mr Harris added: 'I will be underlining the need to demonstrate our unity and collective backing for Ukraine in the face of Russia's ongoing aggression. 'Recent weeks have seen a significant escalation in brutal Russian air attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. These are not the action of a country interested in peace.'
Western Telegraph
an hour ago
- Western Telegraph
Irish deputy premier to attend EU ministers summit in wake of US attack on Iran
Simon Harris, who is also Ireland's foreign affairs minister, said the attack was an 'extraordinarily dangerous escalation' in an already 'volatile' situation in the Middle East. He is to attend a meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers in Brussels on Monday, where the growing crisis in the Middle East will be discussed among other topics. I can confirm that 15 🇮🇪 citizens and their dependents have been successfully evacuated from 🇮🇱 today. Grateful to 🇦🇹 and our teams in Tel Aviv, Dublin & the region for their tireless work. We remain in close contact with all Irish citizens in the region. — Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) June 22, 2025 Tensions in the Middle East boiled over 10 days ago when Israel launched strikes on Tehran, targeting the country's nuclear programme. Israel and Iran have been exchanging strikes with one another since, rekindling fears of a full-scale conflict. On Saturday the US weighed in, sending planes and submarines to attack Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz, which are linked to Iran's nuclear programme. Tehran threatened to retaliate, while US President Donald Trump warned of further action if necessary. Statement by Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Middle East — Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) June 22, 2025 Speaking ahead of the EU meeting on Monday, Mr Harris said there needed to be 'a diplomatic solution' to Iran's nuclear programme. The Tanaiste said that urgent de-escalation and diplomacy are 'crucial', and the EU 'has a role to play in charting a way forward'. He said he would also be calling for 'swift and concrete actions' in response to the EU's review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. 'We must also maintain a strong focus on the situation in Gaza, which remains catastrophic,' he added. 'I call on Israel to lift its blockade on aid into Gaza. The situation in the West Bank also continues to be unacceptable. 'The EU can and must provide leadership on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, on the release of hostages, on preserving the two-State solution, and on efforts to support peace and stability in the Middle East.' We will have a Security College on Wednesday, focused on the escalating situation in the Middle East and its effects on Europe. — Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) June 22, 2025 EU ministers are expected to discuss the latest developments, the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, and the review of Israel's compliance with Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. Among the other topics to be discussed are the Russian invasion of Ukraine, EU engagement with China, and Georgia. Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha will also attend the summit and provide an update. The discussion on China is expected to prepare for the upcoming EU-China Strategic Dialogue and EU-China Summit. Mr Harris added: 'I will be underlining the need to demonstrate our unity and collective backing for Ukraine in the face of Russia's ongoing aggression. 'Recent weeks have seen a significant escalation in brutal Russian air attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. These are not the action of a country interested in peace.'
