Foreign ministers to discuss EU-Israel agreement and US bombing of Iran in Brussels today
TÁNAISTE AND MINISTER for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris is set to attend a meeting with his EU counterparts in Brussels today, where a report on Israel's breaches of its agreement with the EU will be discussed.
The weekend's US bombing of nuclear sites in Iran, however, will likely dominate today's proceedings.
Harris will address Israel's ongoing war on the Palestinian enclave, where the world is watching 'dystopian scenes' unfold.
He will say that it is his expectation that the EU will take 'swift and concrete action' in response to the review of Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza.
According to reporting over the weekend, the recently commissioned assessment found that Israel has breached the association agreement with the EU by not fulfilling human rights obligations.
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After a short round of rare criticism of its war on Gaza by its most important European allies last month,
Israel's attack on Iran on 13 June led to a rapid change in tone
, with UK, French and German leaders insisting it has a 'right to defend itself'.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who was among the 17 European leaders who called on the EU to conduct the review last month, in the aftermath of Israel's near-three month total siege on Gaza, welcomed the conclusions.
He said that 'concrete steps' must be taken in respect of the review, which he intends to discuss at a leaders' summit in Brussels this week.
Martin said the review paints a 'grim picture of a sustained and deliberate failure by Israel to adhere to its international obligations, especially in Gaza but also in the West Bank'.
According to the Taoiseach, the review highlights a continued restriction of basic aid, such as food, medicine and other vital supplies, in Gaza.
The review says that it amounts to 'collective punishment of the civilian population' – which is illegal under international law – and that it also amounts to the use of 'starvation as a method of war'.
It also references the 'unprecedented level of killing and injury of civilians in Gaza' resulting from 'indiscriminate attacks without proportion or precaution'.
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Ireland's reaction to the US bombing Iran: 'Extremely dangerous spiral of escalation'
The EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas is expected to host today's discussions and the US strikes on Iran are set to dominate proceedings.
Harris is expected to update his fellow foreign ministers on a call he had with Iran's deputy foreign minister yesterday.
He plans to tell the meeting that the EU must use all channels to call for de-escalation and to attempt to salvage negotiations over Iran's nuclear energy programme.
'The negotiating table is the only place to end this crisis,' EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said yesterday.
The US and Iran had been in negotiations right up until Israel launched a sweeping aerial attack on its arch foe on 13 June.
The meeting of foreign ministers will be joined by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha, who will provide an update on the situation on the ground.
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Extra.ie
an hour ago
- Extra.ie
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/ 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/ 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/ '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.
Irish Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Warning for Irish students as US demands public social media access for visas
Irish people and students applying for certain US visas will be instructed to set their social media profiles to public as part of a new 'comprehensive and thorough' vetting process. The US Embassy in Dublin further confirmed that it will resume taking applications for visas shortly. Last month, the US State Department instructed embassies to halt some visa appointments until further guidance was issued. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was reported to have said in an internal communication that there are 'plans to issue guidance on expanded social media vetting for all such applications'. This caused concern for Irish students who were in the process of applying for J1 visas ahead of the busy summer period. The US Embassy in Dublin has now confirmed that it will restart taking visa applications but that there will be new requirements for social media profiles. This includes for J visas, used by people like students and teachers and F and M visas, both used by students travelling to the US to study. The new rules will require those applying for visas to set their social media accounts to public. A spokesman said: 'The US Department of State is committed to protecting our nation and our citizens by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through our visa process. A US visa is a privilege, not a right. 'We use all available information in our visa screening and vetting to identify visa applicants who are inadmissible to the United States, including those who pose a threat to US national security. 'Under new guidance, we will conduct a comprehensive and thorough vetting, including online presence, of all student and exchange visitor applicants in the F, M, and J nonimmigrant classifications. 'To facilitate this vetting, all applicants for F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas will be instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to public.' The embassy stated that visa applicants will be required to list all social media usernames or handles of 'every platform they have used from the last five years' on their application forms. It also warned that 'omitting social media information could lead to visa denial and ineligibility for future visas'. The spokesman continued: 'The US Embassy in Dublin will resume scheduling F, M, and J nonimmigrant visa applications soon. Applicants should check our visa scheduling service for appointment availability. 'Every visa adjudication is a national security decision. The United States must be vigilant during the visa issuance process to ensure that those applying for admission into the United States do not intend to harm Americans and our national interests, and that all applicants credibly establish their eligibility for the visa sought, including that they intend to engage in activities consistent with the terms for their admission.'
Irish Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Tanaiste criticises President Donald Trump's 'unhelpful intervention' in Iran
Tánaiste Simon Harris has warned US President Donald Trump's administration made an 'unhelpful intervention' that 'added a significant level of danger to an already volatile situation' by targeting Iran. Tensions in the Middle East reached a crisis point at the weekend when the US sent planes and submarines to attack sites linked to Iran's nuclear programme, including Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz. Tehran has threatened to retaliate, while President Trump has warned of further action if necessary. It comes amid increasing levels of violence between Israel and Iran. Israel initially launched strikes on Tehran, targeting the country's nuclear programme. This has led to Israel and Iran exchanging strikes with one another. Speaking in Brussels at a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers, the Tánaiste criticised the US decision to join the conflict. Mr Harris said: 'I've been very clear in relation to international law around attacks on nuclear installations. There are international laws that say you shouldn't do this. 'I'm also very clear, and I said very clearly, that actually the actions of the United States added a significant level of danger to an already volatile situation. 'It was a very unhelpful intervention. 'While there will be, I'm sure, different views and different perspectives, the reality is this the only way, I believe, to make progress in relation to this, to stop an already tinderbox type situation getting even worse, is to get back to a negotiated situation. 'What has happened has now happened. It has added a huge layer of extra volatility and danger. 'But what we now need to see is no further escalatory measures, and that really has to be where the focus of the European Union has to be and using every bit of influence we can use, individually and collectively, by continuing to engage constantly with counterparts in the region and with the United States to try and make sure there's no further escalatory actions.' Mr Harris stated that 'nobody in the European Union wants to see Iran with a nuclear weapon' but that the best way to 'keep people safe in the world' is through a negotiated settlement. Elsewhere, it was confirmed that three Irish citizens and their dependents were assisted to depart Iran overnight on Sunday. It follows the successful evacuation of 15 Irish citizens and their dependents from Israel on Sunday evening. Mr Harris urged any Irish citizen in Iran or Israel who wants to leave the region to contact the Department of Foreign Affairs. They have also been urged to register the fact that they are there. Separately, Mr Harris held talks with the Prime Minister of Qatar, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, over the situation in the Middle East. It followed further phone calls between the Tánaiste and his counterparts in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan.
