Three Irish citizens and their dependents have left the country after the US joined bombing raids.

Simon Harris said the EU ‘has a role to play in charting a way forward’.

The Tánaiste said he spoke to a ‘really angry’ Iranian foreign minister on Sunday.

Simon Harris said a negotiated solution is needed on Tehran’s nuclear capabilities.

Simon Harris said the decision was not taken lightly.

Micheál Martin said ‘dialogue is the way to resolve the nuclear issue in terms of Iran’.

Last week, Taoiseach Micheál Martin called on global powers to work together in a bid to de escalate the conflict in the Middle East.

Simon Harris said the EU will have to discuss working together to evacuate its citizens from Israel and Iran.

Simon Harris was speaking after being in touch with European counterparts.

Micheál Martin expressed concern about violence between Israel and Gaza, Lebanon and Iran. He said that there was an urgent need for a return to a rules based international order.

Ireland’s deputy premier Simon Harris said further escalation would risk ‘regional spillover’.

Simon Harris said the safety of staff at the Irish embassy is of “paramount” importance but stressed the benefits of ongoing diplomatic relations with Iran.

Simon Harris’s comments come as Israel carried out a series of air strikes overnight in the southern suburbs of Beirut.

Taoiseach Simon Harris will meet Joe Biden in Washington this month for an event to mark 100 years of diplomatic relations between Ireland and the US.

Michael D Higgins was asked about criticism he received in August for sending a letter to the new Iranian president.

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

Tánaiste Micheál Martin also spoke following the death of Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi, which he said was ‘a very sad day’

Simon Harris was attending a European Council meeting in Brussels.

Iran launched the unprecedented assault on Saturday night in response to an Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate in Syria earlier this month

The Tánaiste said there have been ‘very worrying’ developments between Iran and Israel in recent days

The Government has declined to comment on Iranian media reports that an Irish citizen is among the people being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza