‘Urgent' need for de-escalation after US strikes on Iran
An 'urgent' de-escalation is needed in the Middle East, the Irish foreign affairs minister said after the US struck nuclear sites in Iran.
Simon Harris said a 'dangerous' escalation between Iran and Israel is more real and more likely than ever before.
Mr Harris, who is also Ireland's deputy premier, said staff from the Irish embassy in Tehran left the country on Friday, and that he is being updated on Irish peacekeepers stationed in Lebanon.
'I am closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East following military action by the United States on three nuclear facilities in Iran overnight,' Mr Harris said.
'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.
'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.'
Mr Harris said Ireland and Europe are '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 said the International Atomic Energy Agency's statement on Sunday is 'a stark reminder of these dangers'.
He added: 'While there is no initial reporting of any increase in off-site radiation levels as a result of overnight developments, it is a warning as to how easily that could change should further escalation occur, and the disaster that could pose.
'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.'
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Sky News
28 minutes ago
- Sky News
Israel-Iran live: 'Incredible success' of US strikes on Iran hailed by Hegseth; Starmer warns conflict could escalate beyond region
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Dan Caine, chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, the most senior US military official, went into details about the operation - which he revealed was called Midnight Hammer. The US Air Force general laid out timings, as well as the weapons and equipment used. He added initial battle damage assessments found all three sites suffered "extremely severe damage and destruction". 'Deception effort' Caine said that at midnight on Friday, a large B-2 strike package of bombers launched from the US. To maintain surprise, some bombers flew west into the Pacific, something described as a "deception effort". During the 18-hour flight to the target, the US bombers underwent multiple refuellings. "It was planned and executed across multiple domains and theatres with coordination that reflects our ability to project power globally with speed and precision at the time and place of our nation's choosing," Caine said. Tomahawk cruise missiles hit Isfahan As the Operation Midnight Hammer bombers entered Iran, the US deployed "several decoys" and just before it did so, at 5pm EST, a US submarine launched more than two dozen Tomahawk cruise missiles at Isfahan. 14 bunker buster bombs used in Midnight Hammer Caine went on: "At approximately 6.40pm EST, the lead B-2 dropped two GBU 57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator weapons on the first of several Aim points at Fordo. "As the president stated last night, the remaining bombers then hit their targets." More than 75 weapons were used in total, including 14 30,000lbs bunker buster bombs. This marked their first operational use. During questions, defence secretary Pete Hegseth said that he believed they had "achieved destruction of capabilities" at Fordow. He said: "The battle damage assessment is ongoing, but our initial assessment, as the chairman said, is that all of our precision munitions struck where we wanted them to strike and had the desired effect, which means especially in Fordow, which was the primary target here, we believe we achieved destruction of capabilities there." Strikes on Iran were 'an incredible and overwhelming success' - US defence secretary Secretary of defence Pete Hegseth opens the news briefing by saying US forces "conducted a precision strike in the middle of the night against three nuclear facilities in Iran". The aim was "to destroy or severely degrade Iran's nuclear programme". "It was an incredible and overwhelming success," he declares. "We devastated the Iranian nuclear programme." Hegseth goes on to say that President Trump has stated for over a decade that "Iran must not get a nuclear weapon", and thanks to last night's decision, "Iran's nuclear ambitions have been obliterated". This operation was the "final blow" to Tehran's nuclear programme, Hegseth claims, and describes President Trump's plan as "bold" and "brilliant". "When this president speaks, the world should listen. And the US military - we can back it up. The most powerful military the world has ever known - no other country on planet Earth could have conducted the operation that the chairman is going to outline this morning." Nonetheless, President Trump "seeks peace", Hegseth continues, adding that Iran "should choose that path". The defence secretary also reiterated that Iran should not retaliate, as the president emphasised last night. "Every American involved in this operation performed flawlessly, and I want to give recognition to our allies in Israel as well," he adds. "The United States does not seek war, but let me be clear - we will act swiftly and decisively when our people, our partners, or our interests are threatened." Watch live: Pentagon holds news briefing after strikes in Iran A news briefing at the Pentagon - the home of the US military - is under way. Secretary of defence Pete Hegseth and the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, Dan Caine (the most senior US military official) are speaking in the wake of last night's strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Watch live on Sky News, and in the stream at the top of this page. Iran's response could make global economic shock of Ukraine war 'seem like small change' A former senior British military intelligence officer has told Sky News that the world could face huge economic turbulence, depending on how Iran chooses to respond to the US strikes. Phillip Ingram says what happens next - with the Iranian leadership likely to feel compelled to respond - could be "really, really worrying". He told Sky News presenter Matt Barbet earlier: "If Iran does shut the Straits of Hormuz, between 20 and 30% of all the world's oil and gas goes through that strait. "The economic shock that would cause across the world would make what happened when Russia invaded Ukraine just over three years ago seem like small change." Iran has other options, Ingram went on, with its proxies across the region. Some of these, Ingram said, "were scary". They range from terrorist activity to attacking US bases in the Middle East, he said. Watch the full interview below: UK steps up 'force protection measures' at military bases in Middle East The UK has further increased its "force protection" measures for its military bases and personnel in the Middle East to their highest level in the wake of the US strikes against Iran, Sky News understands. This will involve greater security and heightened vigilance to protect British troops, equipment and bases. EU Red Sea mission raises assessment to 'severe' for US and Israeli ships The EU's naval mission in the Red Sea has raised its assessment level to "severe". 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"If regime change is to come about, I wouldn't know how to feel. "Part of me would feel relieved and happy, but part of me would feel is it Israel and the US's job to topple this regime?"
Leader Live
28 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Plaid to PM: 'Don't follow Trump into Middle East conflict'
Rhun ap Iorwerth, MS for Ynys Môn, and Liz Saville Roberts, MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, welcomed Prime Minister Keir Starmer's calls for diplomacy and de-escalation, but voiced concerns that he had fallen short of roundly condemning President Trump's authorisation of US strikes against Iran overnight. The Plaid Cymru politicians said that the pursuit of peace should take priority over any UK loyalty to the US and warned against repeating history where the UK entered a regional conflict in the Middle East as 'America's puppet.' In a joint statement, Mr ap Iorwerth and Ms Saville Roberts said: 'President Trump's decision to launch US strikes against Iran is potentially catastrophic for an already destabilised region. 'Whilst Prime Minister Keir Starmer's calls for diplomacy and de-escalation are to be welcomed, it is concerning that he has fallen short of roundly condemning President Trump's actions. 'The pursuit of peace should take priority over any UK loyalty to the US. We all remember the disastrous consequences of being dragged into a regional conflict in the Middle East as America's puppet. 'It is essential therefore that Parliament has the opportunity to veto any UK military involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict should Keir Starmer yield to any pressure from President Trump and propose some form of intervention. 'In the same way the US Democrats are divided on the issue, Keir Starmer may well face pressure from Labour hawks to follow President Trump's lead. 'Air strikes were launched against Syria in 2018 without granting Parliament an opportunity to vote on military action. At the time Plaid Cymru accused then-Prime Minister Theresa May of showing complete disregard towards democracy. 'We stand firmly by that view and reiterate our calls for restraint before more innocent civilian lives are lost.' The US strike on Iran has fuelled fears that Israel's war with Tehran could escalate to a wider regional conflict. World leaders have reacted with calls for diplomacy and words of caution. US President Donald Trump had said on Thursday that he would decide within two weeks whether to get involved. In the end, it took just days, and Washington inserted itself into Israel's campaign with its early attack early on Sunday, reports the Press Association (PA).
Leader Live
29 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Irish leaders stress ‘urgent' need for de-escalation after US strikes on Iran
Premier Micheal Martin and deputy premier Simon Harris said a negotiated solution is needed following the US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. They said they are in close contact with European counterparts ahead of a meeting of EU foreign leaders on Monday and of EU leaders later in the week. '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.' There is an urgent need for de-escalation, dialogue & diplomacy in the Middle East. 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. — Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) June 22, 2025 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 that is 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.' Mr Harris said a 'dangerous' escalation between Iran and Israel is now more likely than ever before. He said staff from the Irish embassy in Tehran left the country on Friday, and he is being updated on Irish peacekeepers stationed in Lebanon. 'I am closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East following military action by the United States on three nuclear facilities in Iran overnight,' Mr Harris said. '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. '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.' Mr Harris said Ireland and Europe are '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 said the International Atomic Energy Agency's statement on Sunday is 'a stark reminder of these dangers'. He added: 'While there is no initial reporting of any increase in off-site radiation levels as a result of overnight developments, it is a warning as to how easily that could change should further escalation occur, and the disaster that could pose. '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 RTE'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 on in relation to Bill Clinton and what he did, we do now require people to actually get people around the table,' he said. 'Because ultimately, as the Taoiseach said, this is terrifying, not only for the innocent communities that are living in both countries, but as well as that for the neighbouring countries in the Middle East, who we obviously all hope are not drawn into a much bigger conflict.'
