IRELAND’S embassy in Iran has been “temporarily” closed and staff relocated due to the “deteriorating situation”, Simon Harris revealed.
The Tanaiste said he has become “increasingly concerned” in recent days as Israel and Iran continue to trade strikes a week into their war.
Harris said the embassy’s operations will continue in Dublin, adding the Department of Foreign Affairs will assume the embassy’s “consular functions and remain in contact with the small number of Irish citizens remaining in Iran”.
He explained: “I have become increasingly concerned about the operational environment for our Embassy in Tehran, and the ability of our diplomatic staff to perform their functions safely.
“In light of the deteriorating situation, following consultation with my officials and in close consultation and coordination with EU partners, I have decided to temporarily relocate our personnel from Tehran.
“This is not a decision that I have taken lightly. Arrangements have been made for the Embassy to continue its operations from Dublin.
“Staff at my Department’s headquarters have assumed the Embassy’s consular functions and remain in contact with the small number of Irish citizens remaining in Iran.
“These arrangements will continue until it is possible for our personnel to return to Iran.”
Harris added: “My Department’s travel advice remains that Irish citizens should not undertake travel to Iran.
“My hope is that a diplomatic solution can be found to resolve this conflict, without further escalation or further loss of life in Iran or in Israel.”
The Government has been engaged in major efforts to assist Irish citizens living in Iran and Israel who may want to leave both countries in recent days.
There are more than 30 Irish people living in Iran, but not all of them are expected to leave the country in the immediate future.
Meanwhile Israel and Iran have continued to trade strikes a week into their war as Donald Trump considered US military involvement while new diplomatic efforts got under way.
The US president has been weighing whether to attack Iran by striking its well-defended Fordo uranium enrichment facility, which is buried under a mountain and widely considered to be out of reach of all but America’s “bunker-buster” bombs.
US WAR DECISION
Trump said he will decide within two weeks whether the US military will be directly involved in the war given the “substantial chance” for renewed negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi appeared to be heading to Geneva for meetings with the European Union’s top diplomat and counterparts from the UK, France and Germany.
Israel said it conducted air strikes into Friday morning in Iran with more than 60 aircraft hitting what it said were industrial sites to manufacture missiles.
It also said it hit the headquarters of Iran’s Organisation of Defensive Innovation and Research, known by its acronym SPND.
