Micheál Martin urges restraint in Middle East during call with Iranian counterpart

By Cate McCurry, PA

The Tánaiste has urged restraint in the Middle East, saying there is an urgent need to de-escalate tensions in the region.

Micheál Martin has reiterated his calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and for Hamas to release all hostages.

Mr Martin, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, spoke to his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi by phone on Monday.

“The urgent need (is) to de-escalate tensions in the region,” Mr Martin said.

“I spoke to him (Abbas Araghchi) in terms of both Gaza and Lebanon, and urging him to use all influence that the Iranian government has over actors in the region to desist from any attacks.

“The war in Gaza has caused immense suffering, and that there was an obligation on all parties, and in particular Hamas, to release all of the hostages and to agree a ceasefire on the terms brokered by the UN and the US.

“Also, the consequences for Lebanon would be devastating if a war broke out, and it’s the civilians in Lebanon (who) would lose out.”

Mr Martin warned Mr Araghchi it would be “absolutely catastrophic” if a war broke out between Hezbollah and Israel.

He described their engagement as “constructive”.

“He indicated that he wanted to open up and maintain a line of channel communication with Europe, and wanted warmer relations with Europe,” Mr Martin added.

“There seemed to be some sense of early signs of perhaps some movement again or re-engagement on the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) agreement, which is the nuclear issue, which I think would be helpful if that was to materialise but I got the sense it was early days.”

Mr Martin, who is also the Minister for Defence, said the Irish peacekeepers based in Lebanon will stay in the region, and that no decision to pull out will be made unilaterally.

My statement following my call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi this morning. pic.twitter.com/qxbKQlYBAw

— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) September 2, 2024

“We’ve had discussions in terms of various scenarios and so on like that, but our job is to maintain the peace with others and Unifil (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) is committed to doing that, and our troops are committed to doing that,” he added.

“Obviously, force protection is the number one priority, and protection of our troops is a number one priority, and as long as they can continue to implement the mandate and the mandate has been renewed, then we will continue to honour our commitments.”

Mr Martin added that all hostages in Gaza should be released “as quickly as possible”.

He added: “We believe that what is happening is completely disproportionate and has resulted in the deaths of thousands of innocent people, and the slaughter must end.

“Any pressure to that end, I think, is welcome to bring an end to the war.”