Ireland to press ahead with Iran embassy reopening despite 'longstanding' human rights concerns

"We need to have embassies in countries that we disagree with, as well as countries that we have very close relationships with," said Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney.

Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney insisted  that opening the embassy is 'not a reward' for the Iranian regime. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

The Government will press ahead with the reopening of Ireland's embassy in Tehran, despite "longstanding concerns" over the country's human rights record.

Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney announced the reopening of the embassy in the Iranian capital in 2021, which would see the facility reopen in 2023, some 12 years after it was shut.