Ireland's Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence Simon Harris has confirmed that Irish citizens departed from Iran overnight, a day after the US attacked three nuclear sites in the country.
"I am pleased to confirm that three Irish citizens and their dependents were assisted to depart Iran overnight and will now travel home," the Tánaiste said on Monday.
He noted that two children were included in that group.
"I want to extend our gratitude to our European friends and partners for their excellent support.
"All citizens still in Iran are reminded to register at CitizensRegistration.dfa.ie so we can stay in touch & keep you updated on important developments.
"This follows the successful evacuation of 15 Irish citizens and their dependents from Israel yesterday.
"Throughout this crisis, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and our Embassies have remained in regular contact with Irish citizens in the region.
"We have worked closely with our EU and other partners to exchange information and coordinate our consular response to the situation.
"Today, I am at the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, where I will discuss our response to this crisis with my EU counterparts."
US attacks three nuclear sites in Iran
On Saturday night, US President Donald Trump announced on his social media platform Truth Social: "We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. All planes are now outside of Iran air space. A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. All planes are safely on their way home. Congratulations to our great American Warriors. There is not another military in the World that could have done this. NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE! Thank you for your attention to this matter."
In a follow-up, Trump said it was "an HISTORIC MOMENT FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ISRAEL, AND THE WORLD. IRAN MUST NOW AGREE TO END THIS WAR."
He later added: "ANY RETALIATION BY IRAN AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WILL BE MET WITH FORCE FAR GREATER THAN WHAT WAS WITNESSED TONIGHT."
"Extremely dangerous spiral of escalation"
Responding, the Tánaiste said on Sunday: "The risk of an extremely dangerous spiral of escalation in relation to Iran and Israel is now more real and more likely than ever before.
"There is an urgent need for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy."
He continued: "Europe, including Ireland, is fully united in the clear view that Iran should not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons. The way to address this was always through a negotiated solution. Any alternative to that is simply too dangerous for civilians, for the Middle East region and for global security.
"The comment from the International Atomic Energy Agency this morning is a stark reminder of these dangers. While there is no initial reporting of any increase in off-site radiation levels as a result of overnight developments, it is a warning as to how easily that could change should further escalation occur, and the disaster that could pose.
"Together with my EU counterparts, we will in the coming hours and days discuss and review the latest developments and consider the next steps Europe can usefully play to support de-escalation.
"I am also very conscious of the large presence of Irish peacekeeping troops in Southern Lebanon and their safety is of paramount importance. I continue to receive regular updates from the Chief of Staff on measures being taken to keep them safe at this volatile time.
"We remain in close contact with our Embassies in the region and are supporting those Irish citizens who wish to leave. Staff from our Embassy in Tehran departed Iran on Friday."
"Real risk of spilling over"
Speaking to reporters in Brussels on Monday, the Tánaiste said: "Clearly the crisis that is in place in terms of the conflict between Iran and Israel is at real risk of spilling over and broadening, and all control of it being lost.
"So it is so important that we reiterate today, very strongly, our calls for de-escalation, diplomacy, and dialogue, and the positive role that I think that Europe can play in relation to that because, remember, actually the only talks that have taken place with Iran in recent times have been with Europe through Kaja Kallas and the German, French, and UK foreign ministers last Friday.
"We need to get back to that level of engagement here.
"When I spoke to the Iranian minister yesterday, I really urged that Iran would come back to a negotiation position."
Tánaiste @SimonHarrisTD is in Brussels today to represent 🇮🇪 at the Foreign Affairs Council where 🇪🇺 Ministers will discuss the situation in the Middle East.
⬇️Watch below for more pic.twitter.com/Xk6SyVUx9z
— Ireland In The EU (@IrelandInEU) June 23, 2025
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