Irish politicians have been reacting to the US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, after a US official stated that the military campaign could last days, reports Breaking News.
The Taoiseach expressed his “deep concern” over the developments in Iran, noting “the real potential for escalation and wider conflict in the region.”
US and Israeli forces launched an attack on Iran on Saturday morning, describing it as a “pre-emptive” strike against a Tehran government they claimed was intent on developing nuclear weapons, reports Breaking News.
In response, Iran retaliated with missile strikes aimed at Israel and countries across the Middle East.
Micheál Martin urged “all parties to exercise restraint and to work to avoid that outcome” in a statement issued on Saturday afternoon.
“Ireland has always believed that conflict should be resolved through diplomacy and negotiation, in line with the principles of the UN Charter and international law. That must apply in this situation as much as in any other,” Martin said, reports Breaking News.
“The protection of civilian life in Iran, in Israel, and in all neighbouring countries must now be paramount,” he added, reports Breaking News.
He also condemned the regime in Iran as “brutal and repressive,” highlighting the regime’s violent actions in response to recent protests.
“We have seen in recent months how it has massacred and imprisoned its own people when they have risen up in protest against it,” he said. “It has used its malign influence to drive conflict and division throughout the Middle East,” reports Breaking News.
Martin reiterated that Iran must never be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons and supported international efforts to ensure compliance with international law.
“That goal should be pursued around the negotiating table,” he said, reports Breaking News.
“Our embassies and missions in the region are working to support Irish citizens affected and are coordinating closely with our international partners to ensure their safety. We will remain in close contact with our international partners, in the EU and the UN, as the situation evolves,” he added.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald condemned the airstrikes, calling them “unprovoked military aggression” and a “frightening turn of events.”
McDonald demanded an immediate cessation of military action, reports Breaking News.
“This is an act of unprovoked military aggression,” she said. “It is the second such action in just nine months, it is incredibly dangerous, lives are at stake, civilian lives,” reports Breaking News.
“There needs to be cessation of this action, there needs to be a return to the negotiating table and diplomacy needs to win out,” McDonald said. “It is a shocking situation and, remember, there is an ongoing genocide, unchecked, in Palestine, running alongside this,” reports Breaking News.
She added: “I think this is a really, really frightening turn of events. I am sure innocent Iranian families and civilians are terrified, they will pick up the human cost of this.”
“Young lives have been lost… there is absolutely no conceivable justification for these actions,” McDonald stated, reports Breaking News.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence Helen McEntee also expressed concern about the US-Israeli attack.
“I am deeply concerned that the US and Israel have decided to launch widespread armed conflict against Iran at this time,” she said in a statement. “I am equally dismayed at the Iranian response in recent hours,” reports Breaking News.
“As was made clear to me on my visit to the region last month, further conflict is profoundly unhelpful and presents challenges which only make already deep divisions more dangerous and unstable and put more lives in the region at risk,” reports Breaking News.
McEntee, who had hoped for a diplomatic agreement to address concerns about Iran’s nuclear programme, urged all parties to return to the path of negotiation.
“Ireland was a strong supporter of the JCPOA and of subsequent dialogue and diplomacy for this very reason,” she added.
She called on “all sides to de-escalate” and said other states in the region must also exercise restraint to avoid further instability.
“People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy called on the Taoiseach to condemn the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, according to The Irish Times, reports Breaking News.
He also urged Micheál Martin to cancel his upcoming visit to the White House.
“The United States and Israel have launched a coordinated attack on Iran. This is an unprovoked attack that has no justification,” Murphy said. “We do not want more prevarication and weasel words from the Taoiseach. He must immediately and unreservedly condemn the United States, as well as Israel, for this shocking violence and he must demand that Trump ends this war on Iran,” reports Breaking News.
Murphy further argued, “It would be a travesty and a national embarrassment. Many will die in this latest atrocity started by Trump. He is a war criminal and the St Patrick’s Day engagement must be cancelled,” reports Breaking News.
Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Andrews condemned the attack as being “against all international law.”
“Such strikes are only legal when there is a clear and imminent threat,” he said. “This looks again like regime change. Nobody supports this Iranian regime, but this is not the way.”
Andrews noted that Trump had “torn up” the nuclear deal with the international community in 2018, while Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu had “pushed for this bombing for decades,” reports Breaking News.
“They are responsible for the fallout,” he added. “But we all could suffer the consequences, especially innocent Iranian civilians,” he warned, reports Breaking News.
Labour’s foreign affairs spokesperson Duncan Smith expressed “grave concern” following the strikes.
“Ultimately these strikes originate from the Trump administration’s pulling out of the treaty Obama negotiated with Iran on enrichment,” he stated, reports Breaking News.
“Ensuring Iran cannot develop a nuclear weapons capability should only be done through negotiation, the strong application of the IAEA inspections, and the broader non-proliferation regime,” reports Breaking News.
Smith also criticized the Israeli government’s actions, saying they were acting with “continuing impunity” in the region.
He warned that the pre-emptive strikes could risk a “new long-term war in the Middle East.”
“An emergency meeting of EU leaders must be called and I urge the Irish Government to call on our European allies to ensure that Europe works to de-escalate this conflict,” he urged, reports Breaking News.
“Peace in the Middle East will never come on the battlefield, I urge the United States and Israel to stop their attacks and return to the negotiating table,” Smith said.
Relatives and friends who have queries or concerns about family members in the region should contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade consular team in Dublin at +353 1 4082000, reports Breaking News.
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