Harris: World risks losing all control of Iran crisis
The US strikes on Iran represent an 'extraordinarily dangerous escalation' of the conflict in the Middle East, Tánaiste Simon Harris said on Sunday.
Mr Harris said that an escalation was more likely than ever, and the international community was at risk of 'losing all control' of the conflict.
He and Taoiseach Micheál Martin called for an 'urgent' de-escalation and a negotiated solution on Iran's nuclear facilities. They said they were yesterday in close contact with their European counterparts before a meeting of EU foreign leaders of EU leaders later in the week. The US strikes on Iran represent an 'extraordinarily dangerous escalation' of the conflict in the Middle East, Tánaiste Simon Harris said. Pic: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos
'Diplomacy and dialogue is ultimately the only way to resolve these issues,' Mr Martin said.
'Iran should commit not to develop nuclear weapons and disavow its nuclear and uranium enrichment programme. 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 bring an end to conflict.' Harris and Taoiseach Micheál Martin called for an 'urgent' de-escalation and a negotiated solution on Iran's nuclear facilities. Pic: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie
Mr Martin said the escalation on Sunday should not draw attention away from the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. 'We shouldn't lose sight of the catastrophe still unfolding in Gaza, while the war between Iran and Israel continues,' he said.
'What is happening in Gaza is appalling and a breach of international humanitarian law, and again, innocent civilians and children are being starved there, and we need that to come to an end.'
Staff from Ireland's embassy in Tehran left the country on Friday as the embassy was closed, and updates are being provided on over 300 Irish peacekeepers stationed in Lebanon.
Mr Harris said there were no plans to withdraw Irish troops and 'decisions are being made constantly' to ensure their safety. Micheál Martin said the escalation on Sunday should not draw attention away from the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. Pic: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie
When asked whether he supported Donald Trump's strikes on Iran, Mr Harris said: 'I think it's resulted in an extraordinarily dangerous escalation of a conflict that already best be described as a tinderbox.
'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, and there is a real prospect now of the international community losing all control of this very, very volatile conflict.'
He said there was only a 'very small' number of Irish citizens, many dual nationals, seeking an evacuation, and they were working with European counterparts.
'Thank God we woke this morning to the International Atomic Energy Agency saying they haven't detected any increase in radiation,' he told RTÉ Radio. US president Donald Trump. Pic: Daniel Torok/The White House via Getty Images
He said there was a diplomatic process in train and his understanding from readouts was 'there was a commitment from the Iranian side to further talks'.
Mr Harris said Ireland and Europe are 'fully united in the clear view' Iran should not be let to 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.
'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.'
Minister for Culture Patrick O'Donovan said people woke up on Sunday 'terrified, really, to be quite honest, about the prospect of what's unfolding'.
He told RTÉ's The Week In Politics it is 'terrifying' for citizens in Iran and Israel. 'It does take great people to make leaps of faith in particular places in time to come forward, whether it was in relation to [Anwar el-Sadat] in Egypt, and later in relation to Bill Clinton and what he did, we now require people to actually get people around the table,' he said. Minister for Culture Patrick O'Donovan said people woke up on Sunday 'terrified, really, to be quite honest, about the prospect of what's unfolding'. Pic: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie
'Because ultimately, as the Taoiseach said, this is terrifying, not only for the innocent communities who are living in both countries, but as well for neighbouring countries in the Middle East, who we all hope are not drawn into a much bigger conflict.'
Mr Harris is engaged in a major diplomatic outreach aimed at saving the Irish UN presence in Lebanon. He was in Brussels yesterday at a meeting with his European counterparts. He has been briefed on the situation in the Middle East from the Defence Forces and will continue to discuss options about the mission with Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy.
The Tanaiste will impress on his foreign counterparts the absolute need for the mission to continue, in order to ensure stability and peace in the region.
Ireland has over 340 troops deployed at Camp Shamrock.
Separately, the Tánaiste has been briefed by the Chief of Staff on a number of incidents that took place in Southern Lebanon in recent days. All Irish Troops are accounted for and well.
Responding to the American attack on Iran, Mr Harris said: 'I am closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East following military action by the United States on three nuclear facilities in Iran overnight.
'I am also very conscious of the large presence of Irish peacekeeping troops in Southern Lebanon and their safety is of paramount importance.
'We remain in close contact with our Embassies in the region and are supporting those Irish citizens who wish to leave.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
an hour ago
- RTÉ News
Behind the Story: Saipan the movie and what next for Iran?
It was an event that divided the country: Roy Keane headed home from Saipan on the eve of the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Following a public exchange of words with then-manager Mick McCarthy, the Corkonian decided enough was enough. Now a new film from the producers of Kneecap and Cocaine Bear will tell the contentious tale of what went on in one of the most-talked-about moments in recent Irish sporting history. The trailer, which dropped today, includes the tagline 'Choose your side'. But what side are Fran and Katie on? Also, major changes are on the way for Irish students hoping to head stateside for the summer. It means those applying for an F, M, or J non-immigrant visa will have to set all their social media accounts to 'public'. Exchange visitor - or J - visas are non-immigrant visas for people to participate in exchange visitor programs in the United States. This includes J1 visas for Irish students. Other J categories include things like au pair work, interning and summer work and travel. Meanwhile what is next for Iran and could the conflict with Israel see a major geopolitical shift after US involvement? Graham Finlay from the UCD School of Politics and International Relations joins Fran and Katie to discuss what it could mean for us all.
Extra.ie
2 hours ago
- Extra.ie
US visa applicants now face 'thorough vetting' of social media accounts
Irish people are being warned as new requirements for visa applications to the US will include listing all social media accounts used by applicants from the last five years. Applicants for F,M and J non-immigrant US visas will be required to ensure the privacy settings on social media accounts are public in new measures introduced by the US embassy in Dublin. The information will be required when filling out the DS-160 visa application form. Irish people are being warned as new requirements to visa applications to the US will include listing all social media accounts used by applicants from the last five years. Pic: Shutterstock A statement from the US embassy in Dublin released on Monday confirmed that any social media information not provided could result in visa denial as well as 'ineligibility for future visas.' The US Embassy said that obtaining a visa for the States was a 'privilege, not a right' as they highlighted every decision was one made by national security. In the statement, they revealed they would be starting back scheduling for non-immigrant visa applications soon. The US Embassy said that obtaining a visa for the States was a 'privilege, not a right' as they highlighted every decision was one made by national security. Pic: Shutterstock The statement said the US had to be 'vigilant' during the visa process to ensure those applying for admission did not intend to 'harm Americans and our national interests.' It added that 'all applicants [must] credibly establish their eligibility for the visa sought, including that they intend to engage in activities consistent with the terms for their admission.' They said: 'The US Department of State is committed to protecting our nation and our citizens by upholding the highest standards of national security and pubic safety through our visa process.' The new stepped-up social media scrutiny policy comes as Donald Trump continues to crack down on anyone deemed as subversive or expressing anti-American or anti-Semitic opinions, with students in particular being advised to 'tread lightly' with their online footprint. Pic:They added that they would be conducting 'comprehensive and thorough vetting' which includes online presence for student and exchange visitor applicants. The new vetting measures will build upon a previous statement issued last month from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services announcing that the agency will be taking into account 'antisemitic activity on social media' as 'grounds for denying immigration benefit requests.' Purging or deleting media presence in its entirety could also be grounds for refusal. Reacting to the news, Taoiseach Micheal Martin told reporters in Dublin that there is an issue 'around freedom of speech'. 'I believe those measures by the United States are excessive,' he said. 'I don't approve of them. I don't agree with them. One of the great things in the world, in the modern world, has been the capacity for young people to travel and mobility is important. 'The US is probably one of the more difficult countries to to get into, at times. There is an issue around freedom of speech, but it's more the atmosphere that's created by these measures, the fear and the anxiety that young people will now experience travelling. 'My understanding is applications are down in terms of J1 (visas). We have witnessed a pause on the processing of J1 most recently. 'There's been a longstanding, obviously, relationship with America in terms of young people travelling and American young people travelling to Ireland. 'In the context of the European Union, we would love to have young citizens from the United Kingdom travelling freely across Europe. That's the Irish position, and vice versa. 'I understand the security, but I think good intelligence and good security can stymie anyone who would be out to attack a country or attack America. I understand that. I get that, but I think it is excessive in respect of the measures announced today.'
Irish Independent
2 hours ago
- Irish Independent
‘I couldn't be more proud of my country' – U2's The Edge becomes Irish citizen more than 60 years after moving to country
David Howell Evans (63), better known as The Edge, was among thousands of people who attended the citizenship ceremonies in Killarney, Co Kerry, today. Speaking to RTÉ after the ceremony, he said: "I'm a little tardy with the paperwork. I've been living in Ireland now since I was one.' "But the time is right. And I couldn't be more proud of my country for all that it represents and all that it is doing. "It couldn't come at a better moment for me, so I am just so happy to be at this point to be in even deeper connection with my homeland," he said. He told RTÉ that Ireland is showing real leadership in the world. Following the oath of allegiance during the second ceremony, the U2 member was shaking hands with those beside him. He said that becoming an Irish citizen 'could not have been more meaningful than the present time.' The guitarist, who set up the legendary Irish rock band U2 with his classmates, was born in Essex in England to Welsh parents, but has lived in Ireland since he was one year old. Ireland welcomed around 7,500 new citizens today, who came from more than 143 countries and across all 32 counties on the island. Seven citizenship ceremonies are being held over two days, attended by Minister of Justice Jim O'Callaghan and Ministers of State Colm Brophy and Niall Collins.
