Simon Harris: 'World on the brink of an extraordinarily destabilising situation'

Tánaiste calls for a de-escalation between the two countries, but said the Government would work with other EU countries to evacuate Irish citizens

The Israeli Iron Dome air defense system fires to intercept missiles during an Iranian attack over Tel Aviv. Picture: AP/Leo Correa

The “world is on the brink of an extraordinarily destabilising situation” amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, the Tánaiste has said.

Simon Harris has called for a de-escalation between the two countries, adding the Government would work with other EU countries to evacuate citizens when possible.

“It is almost impossible to overstate the serious level of danger here. To say the world is on the brink of an extraordinarily destabilising situation would be absolutely a statement of fact, if not an understatement,” Mr Harris said.

It comes as EU foreign ministers will on Tuesday hold an emergency meeting to discuss the rising tensions in the Middle East. Mr Harris said a key focus of the meeting would be on working with other EU countries to potentially evacuate European citizens if required.

Ireland has a small number of citizens who are long-term residents of Iran, with more citizens living in Israel.

“I think it will be really important, as we have done at an EU level before, that we work together to see if and when it may be safe to make an intervention for any citizen seeking to leave,” Mr Harris said.

He said Ireland was calling for “de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy” at present, adding no country wanted to see Iran achieve a nuclear weapon.

“Iran has consistently been a source of danger in the world. No-one wants to see Iran with a nuclear weapon. The way to resolve the issues in relation to a nuclear programme in Iran was through the talks that were under way. That’s where we need to try and get back to.”