11 hours ago
Ireland's reaction to the US bombing Iran: 'There is an urgent need for de-escalation'
LAST UPDATE
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32 mins ago
IRELAND HAS CALLED for an urgent de-escalation of tension and the use of diplomacy after the US bombed nuclear sites in Iran.
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris has warned that the risk of an 'extremely dangerous spiral of escalation' in the Middle East is now 'more real', following
US strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites
.
Harris said there is an 'urgent need for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy' to resolve the conflict. He added that he will discuss the issue tomorrow with his European counterparts in Brussels.
His comments were echoed by Taoiseach Micheál Martin. Both Harris and Martin said that Iran needs to step away from any possible development of nuclear weapons.
'A negotiated solution is the way forward,' Martin said in a statement.
The government remains in contact with embassies in Israel and Iran. Staff in Tehran left the country on Friday and have since been working remotely.
Roughly 200 and 30 Irish citizen are currently in Israel and Iran, respectively. Support for those who wish to leave remains in place, Harris said.
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.
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Israel launched its campaign against Iran two weeks ago over claims that the government there were developing nuclear weapons.
Harris said while Ireland is 'united in the clear view' that Iran should not possess such weapons, the issue should be settled through diplomacy.
'Any alternative to that is simply too dangerous for civilians, for the Middle East region and for global security,' he said this morning.
Labour TD and party spokesperson for foreign affairs Duncan Smith said tomorrow's Foreign Affairs Council of the EU meeting should maintain its focus on calling for a diplomatic solution, as well as debating the EU-Israel trade agreement.
Iran, in response, 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.
The Fine Gael leader welcomed initial reports that suggest there has not been an increase in off-site radiation levels as a result of the strikes on the facilities in Iran by the US last night.
He added that US or other interventions in the future should use the reports as a 'warning as to how easily that could change should further escalation occur, and the disaster that could pose.'
Radiation leaks from Iran's facilities, the Fordow site in particular, could pollute a radius of up to 50km, it has been estimated, and cause severe and reactive dust storms right across the Middle East.
Global nuclear watchdog IAEA confirmed today that has been no increases in off-site radiation. An emergency meeting has been convened with the board of governors tomorrow.
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