Irish politicians condemn US and Israeli strikes on Iran as Defence Forces issue statement
Ellen O'Donoghue
Irish politicians have been reacting to the US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, after a US official said the military campaign could last days.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence Helen McEntee has said she is "deeply concerned" at the US-Israeli attack.
Irish citizens should not travel to Iran, she said, while also advising against travel to Israel.
In a statement, McEntee said: “I am deeply concerned that the US and Israel have decided to launch widespread armed conflict against Iran at this time.
“I am equally dismayed at the Iranian response in recent hours. As was made clear to me on my visit to the region last month, further conflict is profoundly unhelpful and presents challenges which only make already deep divisions more dangerous and unstable and put more lives in the region at risk.
“We had hoped that it would be possible to reach a diplomatic agreement to resolve international concerns about Iran’s nuclear programme. Ireland was a strong supporter of the JCPOA and of subsequent dialogue and diplomacy for this very reason. We urge all parties to return to this path of negotiation.”
The Fine Gael TD called on “all sides to de-escalate”.
“We hope also that other states in the region will exercise restraint - a wider conflict will increase regional instability.”
She said there are a small number of Irish citizens in Iran, most of whom have been resident in the country for many years.
“I fully understand the concerns of Irish citizens in the region, and the concerns of their families and friends in Ireland and around the world,” she added.
“Our embassies in the region are actively engaged to support Irish citizens who are affected.”
The travel advice remains that Irish citizens should not undertake travel to Iran.
“We also advise against travel to Israel. Our advice at this time to citizens in the region is to shelter in place,” she said. “You should follow the directions of the local authorities and advice issued on social media by the Irish embassy to your country of residence.”
Embassies in the region are closely monitoring the situation and continuing to provide consular assistance.
McEntee said she will remain in close contact with EU and international partners as the situation continues to evolve.
Meanwhile, the Irish Defence Forces have confirmed that Defence Forces personnel in missions across the Middle East, UNDOF, UNIFIL and UNTSO, are well and accounted for.
“We are continuing to monitor the situation across the region and our personnel remain committed to completing their mandated tasks,” it said on Saturday.
Oglaigh na hÉireann can confirm that Defence Forces personnel in missions across the Middle East, UNDOF, UNIFIL and UNTSO, are well and accounted for. We are continuing to monitor the situation across the region and our personnel remain committed to completing their mandated… pic.twitter.com/gcO4kAgGhV
— Óglaigh na hÉireann (@defenceforces) February 28, 2026
'Unthinkable' that Taoiseach would go to US and give a shamrock to Trump - TD
People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy called on the Taoiseach to condemn the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, according to The Irish Times.
He also called for Micheál Martin's upcoming visit to the White House to be cancelled.
The Dublin South-West TD said: “The United States and Israel have launched a coordinated attack on Iran. This is an unprovoked attack that has no justification.
“We do not want more prevarication and weasel words from the Taoiseach. He must immediately and unreservedly condemn the United States, as well as Israel, for this shocking violence and he must demand that Trump ends this war on Iran.
“It is unthinkable that the Taoiseach would go to the White House shortly to give shamrock to Trump. Our national day cannot be used to whitewash Trump and his wars of aggression.
“It would be a travesty and a national embarrassment. Many will die in this latest atrocity started by Trump. He is a war criminal and the St Patrick’s Day engagement must be cancelled.”
Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Andrews has said that the attack is "against all international law.
“Such strikes are only legal when there is a clear and imminent threat,” he said on X.
“This looks again like regime change. Nobody supports this Iranian regime, but this is not the way.”
Andrews also said Trump “tore up” the nuclear deal with the international community in 2018 while Netanyahu has “pushed for this bombing for decades”.
“They are responsible for the fallout,” he added. “But we all could suffer the consequences, especially innocent Iranian civilians.”
Labour's foreign affairs spokesperson Duncan Smith expressed "grave concern" after the strikes.
“Ultimately these strikes originate from the Trump administrations pulling out of the treaty Obama negotiated with Iran on enrichment,” he said.
“Ensuring Iran cannot develop a nuclear weapons capability should only be done through negotiation, the strong application of the IAEA inspections, and the broader non-proliferation regime.
“Instead we have an Israeli government that due to the international community’s inability to hold them accountable for their actions in Gaza, are acting with continuing impunity across the region.
“We also have a US administration that continues to display authoritarian tendencies, with these strikes being no exception.”
Smith added that launching pre-emptive strikes, despite reports that breakthroughs had occurred in negotiations on stockpiling, risked a “new long-term war in the Middle East”.
“An emergency meeting of EU leaders must be called and I urge the Irish Government to call on our European allies to ensure that Europe works to de-escalate this conflict,” he said.
“Peace in the Middle East will never come on the battlefield, I urge the United States and Israel to stop their attacks and return to the negotiating table.”
Relatives and friends who have queries or concerns about family members in the region should contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade consular team in Dublin at +353 1 4082000.
