Iran says US has 'blown up' any attempt to end the Israel-Iran conflict diplomatically
IRAN'S FOREIGN MINISTER has said the US decided to 'blow up' diplomacy efforts
with its strikes on Iranian nuclear sites overnight
as world leaders have urged the country to enter negotiations with the US and Israel.
The EU had called for 'all sides to step back' after the US bombed three Iranian nuclear sites overnight. European foreign affairs commissioner Kaja Kallas urged Iran, Israel and the US to return to negotiations and prevent further escalation in the Middle East.
European foreign ministers,
including Tánaiste Simon Harris
, will be discussing the issue tomorrow.
US President Donald Trump
announced 'successful' strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities overnight
, in a shock decision and major escalation in the war between Israel and Iran.
Israel launched its campaign against Iran two weeks ago over claims that the government there were developing nuclear weapons.
'Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, as it would be a threat to international security,' Kallas said this morning, before calling for diplomacy.
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Other international leaders have called for diplomacy to prevail.
Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged Iran to return to nuclear dissolvent negotiations with the US this morning. He added that Iran's nuclear programme is a 'grave threat' which the US military action would 'alleviate'.
Responding to the EU and UK on X, Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, referring to talks with German, French and Italian leaders, said: 'This week, we held talks with the E3/EU when the US decided to blow up that diplomacy. What conclusion would you draw?'
He added: 'To Britain and the EU High Rep, it is Iran which must 'return' to the table. But how can Iran return to something it never left, let alone blew up?'
Earlier, Araghchi condemned the
US attacks on key nuclear sites as 'outrageous' earlier
. He said his country has a right to defend its sovereignty and that the US strikes would have 'ever lasting consequences'.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has also called for a swift return to diplomacy after the US struck three nuclear sites in Iran overnight. He said Iran must 'immediately' enter negotiations with the US and Israel to find a diplomatic solution.
Iran has
launched up to 30 missiles towards Israel this morning
, targeting sites such as the Ben Gurion International Airport and military hubs. Three bombs made impact at residential sites in Israel, it has been reported.
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Irish Examiner
19 minutes 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
an hour 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
Irish Post
an hour ago
- Irish Post
Tánaiste warns of 'spiral of escalation' following US attacks on Iran's nuclear sites
TÁNAISTE Simon Harris has warned of a 'spiral of escalation' following US attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities. Speaking last night, US President Donald Trump said American strikes had 'completely and totally obliterated' the sites at Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan. Iran's Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, has called the attacks a 'grave and unprecedented violation' of international law and called on the UN Security Council to 'unequivocally condemn this criminal act of aggression by the United States'. Tensions rose in the region on Friday, June 13 after Israel launched a series of strikes on six cities in Iran, citing concerns over the country's nuclear capabilities. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 21, 2025 Iran, who says its nuclear development programme is solely for peaceful purposes such as energy, responded with retaliatory strikes. Trump said this week that he had yet to decide whether to get involved in the conflict but after confirming the strikes last night, hailed them 'a spectacular military success'. "There will be either peace or there will be tragedy for Iran far greater than we have witnessed over the last eight days," he added. In a separate social media post (above), the president of the US wrote: "A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow… NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE!" 'Urgent need for de-escalation' In a statement today, the Tánaiste said he was 'closely monitoring' the situation following the strikes. "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," said Mr Harris. "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. Later today, I will travel to Brussels for a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers. "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." Tánaiste Simon Harris has called for 'de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy' (Image: JORDAN / AFP via Getty Images) He added: "I am also very conscious of the large presence of Irish peacekeeping troops in Southern Lebanon and their safety is of paramount importance. "I continue to receive regular updates from the Chief of Staff on measures being taken to keep them safe at this volatile time. "We remain in close contact with our Embassies in the region and are supporting those Irish citizens who wish to leave. Staff from our Embassy in Tehran departed Iran on Friday." His words were echoed by the Taoiseach, who similarly claimed that Iran should not be allowed to develop nuclear capabilities. "There is an urgent need for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy in the Middle East," said Micheál Martin. "Iran should unequivocally disavow the development of nuclear weapons. A negotiated solution is the way forward. "We remain in close contact with international partners ahead of the EU Council." In a statement to the United Nations Security Council on Friday, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Mariano Grossi said: "The IAEA can guarantee, through a watertight inspections system, that nuclear weapons will not be developed in Iran." Speaking this morning, Mr Grossi said he will call an emergency meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors tomorrow. US has 'launched a dangerous war' against Iran In a statement, the Iranian Foreign Ministry dubbed America's strikes a 'brutal military aggression against Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities'. "The world must not forget that it was the United States that, in the midst of a diplomatic process, betrayed diplomacy by supporting the genocidal and lawbreaking Israeli regime to impose a war of aggression on the Iranian nation," it added. "Now, in completion of that regime's unlawful and criminal acts, the United States itself has launched a dangerous war against the Islamic Republic of Iran. "It has now become abundantly clear to all that the very regime which enjoys permanent membership in the Security Council is beholden to no principle or morality and will stop at no illegality or crime to serve the aims of a genocidal, occupying regime." The Washington-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reports that as of Saturday night, 865 people had been killed in Iran by Israeli strikes, including 363 civilians, with almost 3,400 injured. Meanwhile, Israel said 23 people had been injured on Friday by Iranian strikes in the north of the country. See More: Donald Trump, Iran, Israel, Simon Harris
