Tánaiste tells EU council civilians are 'paying the price' for conflict between Israel and Iran

The Israeli Iron Dome air defense system fires to intercept missiles during an Iranian attack over Tel Aviv on Sunday. At today’s emergency Foreign Affairs Council, Simon Harris is understood to have said the conflict between Israel and Iran brings 'significant risk to global security'. Photo: AP/Leo Correa

The Tánaiste has told his EU counterparts that the civilian population is "paying the price” as Israel and Iran continue to ramp up bombardments, which has the world on edge.

At today’s emergency Foreign Affairs Council, Simon Harris is understood to have said the conflict between Israel and Iran brings “significant risk to global security". 

He said the civilian population of the region is “paying the price” and that full de-escalation is urgently needed before the situation gets even worse.

Mr Harris said engagement with the US is vital in order to deliver a diplomatic solution.

The Tánaiste told the virtual meeting that he can’t overstate the importance of “EU collaboration and co-ordination” when it comes to ensuring EU citizens are evacuated safely.

And he stressed the importance too of “not losing sight of the catastrophic situation” that continues to unfold in Gaza.