All possible measures must be taken to prevent any further escalation of tensions in the Middle East following missile strikes on Iran, President Catherine Connolly has said.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he is “deeply concerned” about the potential for broader conflict in the region, while Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald described the joint US-Israeli action as “unprovoked military aggression”, reports Breaking News.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee said a small number of Irish citizens are currently in Iran.
US and Israeli forces carried out strikes on Iran on Saturday morning, describing the operation as a “pre-emptive” move against a Tehran administration they claim is pursuing nuclear weapons, reports Breaking News.
The assault triggered retaliation from Iran, with missiles aimed at Israel and several countries across the Middle East.
Ms Connolly said she wished to align herself with those who had “expressed such grave concern following today’s strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel, and Iran’s retaliatory strikes in the region”, reports Breaking News.
The president added: “The normalisation of war, including the invasion at will of sovereign states, is a path that only leads to destruction and loss of life, reports Breaking News.
“As the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, has said, today’s escalation undermines international peace and security with severe potential consequences for civilians and regional stability, reports Breaking News.
“All possible steps must be taken to avoid a further escalation in the region, reports Breaking News.
“I call on all sides to immediately return to diplomacy and negotiation in line with the principles of international law and the UN Charter,” reports Breaking News.
In a statement, the Taoiseach said: “I am deeply concerned by developments in Iran and the real potential that exists for escalation and wider conflict in the region, reports Breaking News.
“I strongly urge all parties to exercise restraint and to work to avoid that outcome, reports Breaking News.
“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, reports Breaking News.
“That must apply in this situation as much as in any other, reports Breaking News.
“The protection of civilian life in Iran, in Israel and in all neighbouring countries must now be paramount,” reports Breaking News.
Mr Martin said there was no question that the regime in Iran is a “brutal and repressive one”.
He added: “We have seen in recent months how it has massacred and imprisoned its own people when they have risen up in protest against it, reports Breaking News.
“It has used its malign influence to drive conflict and division throughout the Middle East, reports Breaking News.
“We have been clear that it must never be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons, and we have supported international efforts to ensure its compliance with its obligations in international law, reports Breaking News.
“That goal should be pursued around the negotiating table, 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, reports Breaking News.
“We will remain in close contact with our international partners, in the EU and the UN, as the situation evolves,” reports Breaking News.
Ms McDonald called for military operations to cease.
She said: “This is an act of unprovoked military aggression, reports Breaking News.
“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, reports Breaking News.
“It is a shocking situation and, remember, there is an ongoing genocide, unchecked, in Palestine, running alongside this,” reports Breaking News.
The Sinn Féin leader said: “I think this is a really, really frightening turn of events, reports Breaking News.
“I am sure innocent Iranian families and civilians are terrified; they will pick up the human cost of this, reports Breaking News.
“Young lives have been lost….there is absolutely no conceivable justification for these actions,” reports Breaking News.
Ms McEntee urged all sides to resume talks.
She said: “I am deeply concerned that the US and Israel have decided to launch widespread armed conflict against Iran at this time, reports Breaking News.
“I am equally dismayed at the Iranian response in recent hours. 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.
“We had hoped that it would be possible to reach a diplomatic agreement to resolve international concerns about Iran’s nuclear programme,” reports Breaking News.
Ms McEntee said Ireland had been a “strong supporter” of the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), agreed in 2015, along with subsequent diplomatic engagement.
The minister said: “I call on all sides to de-escalate. We hope also that other states in the region will exercise restraint – a wider conflict will increase regional instability,” reports Breaking News.
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