Three Irish citizens evacuated from Iran in wake of US airstrikes
Mr Harris confirmed the evacuation of the citizens took place overnight, in the wake of strikes in Tehran. Picture: AP Photo
Three Irish citizens have been evacuated from Iran, Tánaiste Simon Harris has confirmed.
Mr Harris confirmed the evacuation of the citizens took place overnight.
“I am pleased to confirm that three Irish citizens and their dependents were assisted to depart Iran overnight and will now travel home,” Mr Harris said.
“I want to extend our gratitude to our European friends and partners for their excellent support.”
It comes after 15 Irish citizens were evacuated from Israel on Sunday, with the Government expecting them to arrive back in Ireland in the coming days.
Mr Harris has urged any other Irish citizens remaining in Iran to register with Department of Foreign Affairs staff.
“Throughout this crisis, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and our Embassies have remained in regular contact with Irish citizens in the region,” he said.
“We have worked closely with our EU and other partners to exchange information and coordinate our consular response to the situation.”
Tensions in the Middle East boiled over 10 days ago when Israel launched strikes on Tehran, targeting the country’s nuclear programme.
Israel and Iran have been exchanging strikes with one another since, rekindling fears of a full-scale conflict.
On Saturday the US weighed in, sending planes and submarines to attack Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz, which are linked to Iran’s nuclear programme.
Tehran threatened to retaliate, while US president Donald Trump warned of further action if necessary.
Speaking ahead of the EU meeting on Monday, Mr Harris said there needed to be “a diplomatic solution” to Iran’s nuclear programme.
The Tanaiste said that urgent de-escalation and diplomacy are “crucial”, and the EU “has a role to play in charting a way forward”.
He said he would also be calling for “swift and concrete actions” in response to the EU’s review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
“We must also maintain a strong focus on the situation in Gaza, which remains catastrophic,” he added.
“I call on Israel to lift its blockade on aid into Gaza. The situation in the West Bank also continues to be unacceptable.
“The EU can and must provide leadership on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, on the release of hostages, on preserving the two-State solution, and on efforts to support peace and stability in the Middle East.”
