Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris has engaged in discussions with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and Jordan regarding the “increasingly dangerous” developments taking place across the Middle East, reports RTE.
These conversations occurred while the Tánaiste continued to receive updates this evening on plans to help Irish nationals who wish to leave Israel and Iran.
There is a notable concern surrounding the security of diplomatic staff in Iran, and Ireland is coordinating with international partners to explore possible exit routes, reports RTE.
During his talks with the ministers from Jordan and Saudi Arabia, Mr Harris noted that Iran is scheduled to participate in discussions in Geneva tomorrow — a meeting considered vital for any significant diplomatic progress.
Ireland’s representation at the Geneva talks will come through the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas. The United Kingdom will also attend, reports RTE.
“It is not possible to overstate the serious moment of danger, not just in Iran and in Israel, but indeed in the broader region, and indeed in relation to global security,” reports RTE.
“We need Iran and Israel to step back from the brink,” Mr Harris said, reports RTE.
“I think that is a really important moment to try and get to a position where we can get Iran back to the negotiating table in relation to its nuclear programme,” reports RTE.
In an earlier interview on RTÉ’s Today with Claire Byrne, Mr Harris stated that around 29 Irish nationals and 12 dependents are currently in Iran, with most located in Tehran.
He explained that the majority are long-term residents and many hold dual citizenship, adding that there are also roughly 200 Irish citizens in Israel, most of whom have lived there for some time.
“But a relatively small number of people in both Iran and Israel would like to leave, if the opportunity arises, for very understandable reasons,” he said, reports RTE.
“Yesterday our embassies contacted all known Irish citizens who had expressed an interest in this and were working through what we call the Civil Assistance Mechanism, working with other EU member states, to help people leave when it’s possible and safe to do so. That will vary,” reports RTE.
“The airspace is closed so in Iran, it means going over a land border, which is not without risk, and from an Israeli point of view it means going to maybe Jordan or Egypt where flights can go from,” reports RTE.
“So there are a number of options available to us. We’re working very closely with a number of member states and we’re also having to, in a very serious way, look at how we best support our diplomats because the situation is deteriorating quite significantly in terms of being able to effectively operate in the country and also safety and security issues,” reports RTE.
This comes as Ireland coordinates closely with countries such as Austria, Jordan, and Egypt to implement an evacuation strategy for Irish citizens and their family members in both Israel and Iran.
The Tánaiste has also been in communication with multiple EU colleagues over recent days, amid significant diplomatic initiatives by Ireland, and is expected to hold another call with the Jordanian Foreign Minister today.
There is a possibility that Irish nationals could travel by bus to Egypt or Jordan this weekend, as part of an evacuation arrangement currently being developed alongside Austria, reports RTE.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin commented that Iran has long played a destabilising role in the Middle East and emphasised that dialogue is the only viable path forward on the country’s nuclear ambitions.
Speaking on RTÉ’s News At One, he advocated for renewed engagement between the United States and Iran, stressing that Iran must clearly signal it will not continue uranium enrichment or move towards developing nuclear weapons, reports RTE.
He added that Ireland, through the European Union, can play a role in promoting restraint and de-escalation.
The Taoiseach also remarked that the world is facing too much conflict and violence, with countless innocent civilians suffering, highlighting the “catastrophic situation in Gaza” as well as civilian casualties in Sudan, Israel, and Iran, reports RTE.
He concluded that what the world urgently needs is peace and stability.
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