Government issues ‘do not travel’ alert for Israel after strikes on Iran

Department of Foreign Affairs updates travel advisory following Israeli strikes on Iran; Irish citizens warned to stay away

Smoke rises after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 13, 2025. Israel attacked Iran's capital early Friday, with explosions booming across Tehran.(AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

The Government is urging people not to travel to Israel, as tensions escalate in the Middle East following Israeli strikes against Iran overnight.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has now upgraded its warning for the public, with the security status for Israel now advising that people avoid all travel to the country.

Speaking on the News at One, Tánaiste Simon Harris said the “very clear travel advice now is that no Irish citizen should travel to Israel”.

“We already had such travel advice in place in relation to Iran and today we’re extending that in relation to Israel.

Mr Harris said there is currently an Irish diplomatic presence in Iran, which the Government is in “close contact” with.

He said there are around 17 Irish people living in Iran who are known to Irish officials in the country.

“This is an extraordinarily dangerous and volatile time, and I’d encourage all Irish citizens to heed [the Government’s] advice.”

Earlier Taoiseach Micheál Martin added his voice to growing international concern, calling for restraint and a renewed focus on diplomacy.

“I am deeply concerned by the airstrikes on Iran,” Mr Martin said.

“I call on all in the Middle East to exercise the utmost restraint and to avoid further escalation. The region and the world need stability. Diplomacy must be the only way forward.” 

His comments echo those of the Tánaiste, who earlier warned that continued escalation risked a “regional spillover” that could prove disastrous for communities across the Middle East.

In a statement issued this morning, Mr Harris said the Middle East "desperately needs peace and stability" and that further escalation could lead to a broader regional conflict.

He called on all parties to show restraint and urged those with influence to use it to help de-escalate tensions.

“A negotiated solution is needed to address Iran’s nuclear programme,” he added.