Irish leaders ‘deeply concerned' by air strikes on Iran
Ireland's premier and deputy premier have said they are 'deeply concerned' by air strikes on Iran.
Israel launched strikes on Tehran early on Friday, targeting the country's nuclear programme and rekindling fears of a full-scale conflict.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned that Israel should expect 'severe punishment' in response, and it was reported on Friday morning that drones had been launched.
The attack appeared to be the most significant Iran has faced since its war with Iraq in the 1980s.
Irish premier Micheal Martin said that stability was needed and called for diplomacy.
'I call on all in the Middle East to exercise the utmost restraint and to avoid further escalation,' the Taoiseach said.
'The region and the world need stability. Diplomacy must be the only way forward.'
Ireland's deputy premier Simon Harris said further escalation would risk 'regional spillover', which would be 'disastrous'.
'I am deeply concerned about the reports of extensive military air strikes by Israel on Iran overnight,' the Tanaiste said.
'The Middle East desperately needs peace and stability.
'Further escalation would bring a very real risk of regional spillover. This would be disastrous for all the peoples of the region.
'I urge restraint and de-escalation by all involved, and for those with influence to use it positively at this critical moment. A negotiated solution is needed to address Iran's nuclear programme.
'My officials are in touch with our embassy in Tehran regarding the safety of the small Irish community in Iran and we are in close contact with our EU partners.'
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Simon Harris also expressed deep concern over escalating tensions in the Middle East after Iran bombarded Israel with hundreds of missiles overnight in retaliation for Israeli strikes on its nuclear bases. Mr Harris, who is also the Irish foreign affairs minister, held calls with Ireland's ambassadors to Israel, Iran and Egypt on Saturday morning. He said he had been briefed on developments and all embassy staff are 'safe and well'. Mr Harris called for de-escalation and a return to diplomacy, adding: 'This is a dangerous moment for the Middle East. I am deeply concerned about the continuing exchange of air attacks between Israel and Iran.' He also spoke with a politician who has been released from detention in Egypt. Paul Muphy, a TD (MP) for People Before Profit-Solidarity, had been detained on Friday while attempting to march to the Rafah crossing into Gaza as part of a large demonstration and effort to get aid into the region. The opposition politician said his phone and passport were confiscated before he and others were put on a bus to Cairo airport, where they believed they would be deported. Mr Murphy and party representatives urged Mr Harris and the Department of Foreign Affairs to intervene. We were finally released late last night at airport. Police still have our phones. We are back in Cairo and meeting shortly to decide next steps. We're focused on Israel's genocide and starvation of Gaza. Thanks for your support. Free Palestine 🇵🇸 🇵🇸🇵🇸#GlobalMarchToGaza — Paul Murphy 🇵🇸 (@paulmurphy_TD) June 14, 2025 All Irish people who were detained have since been released, but some have not had their phones returned. In a statement on Saturday, Mr Murphy said: 'We were finally released late last night at airport. Police still have our phones. 'We are back in Cairo and meeting shortly to decide next steps. We're focused on Israel's genocide and starvation of Gaza. 'Thanks for your support. Free Palestine.' Mr Harris said: 'I am pleased that following the work of our embassy staff, all Irish people who were detained yesterday in Rafah have been released and have had their passports returned. 'I spoke directly to Deputy Murphy to confirm he and other Irish people have been released from detention, had their passports returned and were receiving consular assistance. The wellbeing and safety of all Irish citizens abroad is always of concern to me and to my department. 'I am aware some Irish citizens have not had their phones returned by the authorities and I have asked our embassy to pursue this.' Mr Murphy's partner, councillor Jess Spear, expressed 'relief' that the group had been released from detention. She said: 'However, they still want to reach Rafah to try and get humanitarian aid into Gaza. That has been the sole purpose of being in Egypt. 'Paul has appealed to Tanaiste Simon Harris to put pressure on the Egyptian authorities to let the marchers reach Rafah. The situation of the people of Gaza worsens by the day as they suffer starvation imposed by Israel. 'We need to get humanitarian aid to them as quickly as possible.' Mr Harris said embassies remain in close contact with members of the Irish community to offer assistance, adding that his department is working closely with European counterparts. 'My department continues to advise against all travel to Iran and Israel for Irish citizens. 'Irish citizens in the region are advised to be vigilant and to follow the advice of local authorities, including any orders to shelter in place.'
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Simon Harris also expressed deep concern over escalating tensions in the Middle East after Iran bombarded Israel with hundreds of missiles overnight in retaliation for Israeli strikes on its nuclear bases. Mr Harris, who is also the Irish foreign affairs minister, held calls with Ireland's ambassadors to Israel, Iran and Egypt on Saturday morning. He said he had been briefed on developments and all embassy staff are 'safe and well'. Mr Harris called for de-escalation and a return to diplomacy, adding: 'This is a dangerous moment for the Middle East. I am deeply concerned about the continuing exchange of air attacks between Israel and Iran.' He also spoke with a politician who has been released from detention in Egypt. Paul Muphy, a TD (MP) for People Before Profit-Solidarity, had been detained on Friday while attempting to march to the Rafah crossing into Gaza as part of a large demonstration and effort to get aid into the region. The opposition politician said his phone and passport were confiscated before he and others were put on a bus to Cairo airport, where they believed they would be deported. Mr Murphy and party representatives urged Mr Harris and the Department of Foreign Affairs to intervene. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. All Irish people who were detained have since been released, but some have not had their phones returned. In a statement on Saturday, Mr Murphy said: 'We were finally released late last night at airport. Police still have our phones. 'We are back in Cairo and meeting shortly to decide next steps. We're focused on Israel's genocide and starvation of Gaza. 'Thanks for your support. Free Palestine.' Mr Harris said: 'I am pleased that following the work of our embassy staff, all Irish people who were detained yesterday in Rafah have been released and have had their passports returned. 'I spoke directly to Deputy Murphy to confirm he and other Irish people have been released from detention, had their passports returned and were receiving consular assistance. The wellbeing and safety of all Irish citizens abroad is always of concern to me and to my department. 'I am aware some Irish citizens have not had their phones returned by the authorities and I have asked our embassy to pursue this.' Mr Murphy's partner, councillor Jess Spear, expressed 'relief' that the group had been released from detention. She said: 'However, they still want to reach Rafah to try and get humanitarian aid into Gaza. That has been the sole purpose of being in Egypt. 'Paul has appealed to Tanaiste Simon Harris to put pressure on the Egyptian authorities to let the marchers reach Rafah. The situation of the people of Gaza worsens by the day as they suffer starvation imposed by Israel. 'We need to get humanitarian aid to them as quickly as possible.' Mr Harris said embassies remain in close contact with members of the Irish community to offer assistance, adding that his department is working closely with European counterparts. 'My department continues to advise against all travel to Iran and Israel for Irish citizens. 'Irish citizens in the region are advised to be vigilant and to follow the advice of local authorities, including any orders to shelter in place.'
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