Tánaiste 'closely monitoring' situation in Iran after US strikes

Tánaiste Simon Harris said he was "closely monitoring" the situation in Iran after the overnight strikes by the US.
"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," Mr Harris said.
"There is an urgent need for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy."
Mr Harris said: "Europe, including Ireland, is 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 added that discussions would be taking place among EU foreign ministers in the hours ahead to consider "the next steps Europe can usefully play to support de-escalation".
Mr Harris added he is aware of the large contingent of Irish peacekeepers in Southern Lebanon, saying he is receiving regular updates from the chief of staff of the Defence Forces.
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US strikes Iranian nuclear sites and Tehran warns of 'everlasting consequences'

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Irish Times

an hour ago

• Irish Times

Evacuation of 15 Irish citizens from Israel under way, Tánaiste says

An operation is ongoing on Sunday evening to evacuate a group of 15 Irish citizens and their dependents from Israel, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris has confirmed. He also said Irish diplomats were working to assist a small number of Irish citizens from Iran but did not specify the number. Speaking to the media at Government Buildings on Sunday afternoon, Mr Harris said the evacuation operation was being done in partnership with other EU countries. 'There is an evacuation under way of Irish citizens and their dependents, 15 in total. We've been working closely with EU counterparts in relation to that 'I hope to be in a position to issue further details on that shortly,' he said.. READ MORE Mr Harris said the Department of Foreign Affairs had been working with a 'small number of citizens in Iran who have expressed a wish to be evacuated'. He said the challenges in evacuating citizens from both countries was 'not easy'. 'The airspace is closed, and the only way of being evacuated is over the land border, involving long journeys that are not only difficult (to navigate) but also dangerous,' he said. He praised the 'extraordinary work' being done by Irish diplomats in difficult and 'often very dangerous' circumstances. He said consular staff in both countries had a citizens' register and some 200 citizens had registered in Israel and 29 in Iran. Mr Harris also spoke by phone on Sunday afternoon with Iran's deputy foreign minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi about the US bombing of Iran. The call took place following a request from Iran's government. The Tánaiste said he got no indication from the Iranian minister that it would change its stance on refusing to return to negotiations. 'Being very honest, during the call I was met with an Iranian counterpart (who was) full of anger, and talking, in his words, about the aggressor. 'I made the point that he was talking to a representative of a European country that hasn't in any way been an aggressor, and in fact, that the European Union has been consistent in our approach and united in our approach across 27 member states that we need to see de-escalation, diplomacy and dialogue.' He said he did not get any indication as of now that the position of Iran has changed. 'That's not a reason enough to keep engaging the talks shortly,' he added.

Irish Examiner

2 hours ago

• Irish Examiner

15 Irish citizens being evacuated from Israel, Tánaiste says

15 Irish citizens are being evacuated from Israel amid the escalating conflict with Iran, Tánaiste Simon Harris has confirmed. The Government is working to evacuate a number of citizens from Israel and Iran, with approximately 200 based in the former and 29 in the latter. 'Right now there is an evacuation underway of 15 Irish citizens and their dependents, so 15 in total,' Mr Harris said. 'We've been working closely with EU counterparts in relation to that, and I hope to be in a position to issue further details on that shortly.' When the evacuation is complete, Mr Harris said the Government will have dealt with all current evacuation requests for Israel. The Tánaiste confirmed there were a number of citizens in Iran who wished to be evacuated, with work underway to try and get them out of the country. 'It's not easy work as you can imagine, the airspace is closed and the only way of being evacuated is over land border with often long journeys that are not without difficulty and not without danger,' Mr Harris said. The Fine Gael leader said the actions of the US President overnight had 'added a new layer of complexity and volatility to an already very dangerous tinderbox'. He added there is a 'real risk of spillover' in the conflict that could see it escalate into a further regional war. 'There is a real risk, by either a miscalculation or by intent, that already a very dangerous conflict spreads between the two countries involved,' Mr Harris said. Mr Harris also raised concerns about the possibility of oil routes being shut down, which would be a 'further economic worry'. The Tánaiste also confirmed his call with the Iranian deputy foreign minister, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, saying he was 'full of anger' over the attacks by Israel and the US. Mr Harris said Mr Takht-Ravanchi outlined the Iranian position that the US and Israel would need to 'learn lessons and pay a price'. He said the Government would continue to push for negotiations to end the war, adding there was 'no alternative' to diplomacy. It comes ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers on Monday, with discussions set to be dominated by the escalating war between Israel and Iran. Urgent need to 'de-escalate' tensions There is an urgent need to 'de-escalate' tensions in the Middle East after the US carried out strikes against Iran, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said. Mr Martin called on 'all actors' in the Middle East to de-escalate the situation. "Diplomacy and dialogue is ultimately the only way to resolve these issues. Iran should commit not to develop nuclear weapons and disavow its nuclear and uranium enrichment programme,' Mr Martin said. "Nuclear safety is an issue here. Modern warfare is very destructive. It is civilians who ultimately suffer and that is why we need an end to these wars and an end to conflict.' Speaking to RTÉ, Mr Martin said the world should not forget about 'the catastrophe that is still unfolding in Gaza' while the war between Israel and Iran is ongoing. This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows damage at the Fordo enrichment facility in Iran after U.S. strikes, Sunday, June 22, 2025. Picture: Maxar Technologies via AP Tánaiste Simon Harris said he was "closely monitoring" the situation in Iran after the overnight strikes by the US. It is understood that Mr Harris has spoken with the Iranian deputy foreign minister, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, after the overnight attacks. The call took place due to a request from Iran's government, with similar calls also taking place between Iranian officials and counterparts in Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt in recent days. Mr Harris was said to have expressed 'grave concern' at the overnight escalation, while adding it was important Iran engaged in formal talks to de-escalate the conflict. "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," Mr Harris said. "There is an urgent need for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy." Mr Harris said: "Europe, including Ireland, is 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 added that discussions would be taking place among EU foreign ministers in the hours ahead to consider "the next steps Europe can usefully play to support de-escalation". Mr Harris added he is aware of the large contingent of Irish peacekeepers in Southern Lebanon, saying he is receiving regular updates from the chief of staff of the Defence Forces. Mr Harris said the US President's actions have resulted in an 'extraordinarily dangerous escalation of a conflict that could already be described as a tinderbox'. 'I need to be very clear and very blunt. We're now entering a moment of particular danger, because I think the chances now of a spiral of escalation are more likely than ever before,' Mr Harris said, speaking on RTÉ Radio's This Week. 'There is a real chance of the international community losing all control of this very, very volatile conflict.' Asked if international law norms have gone out the window, Mr Harris said it was 'sadly true'. 'The only way this will be resolved and the only way really people can step back from the brink now is through de-escalation, diplomacy and dialogue,' Mr Harris said. On Irish citizens seeking to leave Iran, Mr Harris said it was an 'ongoing situation' but he would have a significant update later on Sunday.

The Journal

2 hours ago

• The Journal

US bombs caused 'extremely severe damage and destruction' to three Iranian nuclear sites

THE EXTENT OF the damage caused to the three Iranian nuclear sites by US bombs, which were dropped on the locations overnight, has yet to be fully determined , according to US military command. During a press conference at the Pentagon in the US today, the chairman of the US military chiefs Dan Caine said the army is confident that 'extremely severe damage and destruction' was caused. At the same event, US defence minister Pete Hegseth confirmed that the Trump Administration did not inform Congress, the houses of parliament, before it bombed the three nuclear enrichment facilities in Iran. Advertisement The shock-announcement by US President Donald Trump that the US had launched strikes on Iran came just two days after the Republican had given a two-week deadline for Iran to engage in nuclear peace negotiations. Hegseth and Caine detailed the operation, named Midnight Hammer. Caine said that the mission was contained and that the US Army bombers had not been spotted by the Iranian military throughout the mission. He added that the entirety of the mission maintained an element of surprise. 'I know that battle damage is of great interest. Final battle damage will take some time, but initial battle damage assessments indicate that all three sites sustained extremely severe damage and destruction,' Caine said. More than 125 US aircraft participated in the operation, he said, in which fourteen 30,000-pound bombs were dropped on the locations across Iran. Related Reads Ireland's reaction to the US bombing Iran: 'There is an urgent need for de-escalation' No signs of radioactive contamination after US attack on Iran, says nuclear watchdog Hegseth said: 'The President authorised a precision operation to neutralise the threats to our national interests, posed by the Iranian nuclear programme and the collective self-defence of our troops and our ally Israel.' Fielding questions from reporters, Hegseth was asked about the criticism of the Trump administration for not informing elected officials of its plan to carry out Midnight Hammer. He said: '[Congress] were notified after the planes were safely out when we complied with the notification requirements of the War Powers Act, they were notified. They were [informed] immediately thereafter.' The US War Powers Act requires the president to notify elected officials within 48 hours of assigning armed forces to military action. The administration ascertains its position that it notified Congress within the time frame of the law. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal