Tánaiste orders evacuation of Irish embassy staff in Iran
Irish embassy staff are being evacuated from Iran amid the 'deteriorating situation' in the Middle East, Tánaiste Simon Harris has said.
Mr Harris has confirmed the work of the embassy would now be taken over by officials at the department of foreign affairs in Dublin.
'I have become increasingly concerned about the operational environment for our embassy in Tehran, and the ability of our diplomatic staff to perform their functions safely,' Mr Harris said.
'In light of the deteriorating situation, following consultation with my officials and in close consultation and coordination with EU partners, I have decided to temporarily relocate our personnel from Tehran.'
One source indicated the embassy officials would be leaving the country.
'This is not a decision that I have taken lightly,' Mr Harris added.
The Tánaiste added that officials in the Department of foreign affairs would 'remain in contact with the small number of Irish citizens remaining in Iran'.
'These arrangements will continue until it is possible for our personnel to return to Iran,' he said.
On citizens leaving the country, Mr Harris said they might consider doing so through a land border, as airspace remains closed.
However, Mr Harris said travelling by land border should only be done if it 'remains safe to do so'.
Mr Harris said the Government's travel advice remained that Irish citizens should avoid travelling to Iran.
'My hope is that a diplomatic solution can be found to resolve this conflict, without further escalation or further loss of life in Iran or in Israel. I continue to call for restraint and de-escalation by both Israel and Iran,' the Tánaiste said.
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