Taoiseach Simon Harris has condemned Iran for carrying out an unprecedented drone and missile strike on Israel on Saturday night.
Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on an Iranian Consulate in Damascus on April 1 that killed two high-ranking commanders with Iran's Revolutionary Guards. Saturday's missile strike was the first time that Iran has launched a direct attack against Israel from Iranian territory.
The attack caused only modest damage in Israel, with most drones shot down with the help of the US, the UK, and Jordan. Israeli authorities said at least 31 people were injured in the attack.
Taoiseach Simon Harris condemned Iran's attack as "reckless" and called for all sides in the conflict to show restraint and avoid further escalation.
"I strongly condemn Iran’s reckless and large-scale attack on Israel," Harris said in a statement.
"I urge all sides to show restraint now and to avoid any escalation in military action and the devastation that would cause."
I strongly condemn Iran’s reckless and large scale attack on Israel. I urge all sides to show restraint now and to avoid any escalation in military action and the devastation that would cause
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) April 14, 2024
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin also condemned the attack, describing it as a threat to international peace and security.
"My thoughts are with the Israeli people at this time. The scale and intensity of the attack represents a flagrant threat to international peace and security and is utterly unacceptable," Martin said in a statement.
"It does nothing to help the cause of the Palestinian people or bring us closer to an end to the suffering in Gaza.
"There is now an urgent need for regional de-escalation. Further escalation is in nobody’s interest. I urge all actors to intensify efforts to restore stability. Ireland will work closely with our EU partners in responding to this crisis."
Iran warned Israel and the US of a "much larger response" if there is any retaliation for Saturday's attack.
Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian said Iran had informed the US that the strike would be "limited" and for self-defense.
Israel, meanwhile, said the "campaign is not over yet".
"We intercepted. We destroyed. We shall win," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said after Saturday's attack.
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said the military campaign was not over and that Israel "must be prepared for every scenario", despite largely thwarting the barrage.
Meanwhile, Israel's Channel 12 TV, citing an unnamed government official, claimed there would be a "significant response" to the attack.
Israel and Iran have been involved in a proxy conflict for decades, with tensions escalating in recent months due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The war erupted after Iran-backed Hamas launched an unprecedented attack against Israel on October 7.
Israel has killed over 33,000 people in Gaza over the past six months, according to local health sources. It has also frequently targeted Iranian and proxy troops in Syria during the conflict.
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