President Catherine Connolly has expressed "grave concern" and said "all possible steps must be taken to avoid a further escalation" in the Middle East, after the US and Israel launched military strikes on Iran today.
"As President of Ireland, may I join with all those who have expressed such grave concern following today's strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel, and Iran's retaliatory strikes in the region," she said, in a statement.
"The normalisation of war, including the invasion at will of sovereign states, is a path that only leads to destruction and loss of life.
"As the Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres has said, today's escalation undermines international peace and security with severe potential consequences for civilians and regional stability.
"All possible steps must be taken to avoid a further escalation in the region.
"I call on all sides to immediately return to diplomacy and negotiation in line with the principles of international law and the UN Charter.
"I welcome the support of Irish embassies and missions in the region who are working to support Irish citizens at a time when their safety and welfare will be of immediate concern to all those with friends and family living in the region."
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was deeply concerned and urged dialogue to avoid a wider conflict.
"I am deeply concerned by developments in Iran and the real potential that exists for escalation and wider conflict in the region," he said in a statement.
"I strongly urge all parties to exercise restraint and to work to avoid that outcome.
"Ireland has always believed that conflict should be resolved through diplomacy and negotiation, in line with the principles of the UN Charter and international law. That must apply in this situation as much as in any other.
"The protection of civilian life in Iran, in Israel and in all neighbouring countries must now be paramount."
Mr Martin said that despite the repressive nature of Iran's government, which is an Islamic theocracy, it should be forced to comply with international law through negotiations rather than military action.
"There can be no question but that the regime in Iran is a brutal and repressive one," he said.
"We have seen in recent months how it has massacred and imprisoned its own people when they have risen up in protest against it. It has used its malign influence to drive conflict and division throughout the Middle East.
"We have been clear that it must never be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons and we have supported international efforts to ensure its compliance with its obligations in international law.
"That goal should be pursued around the negotiating table.
"Our Embassies and missions in the region are working to support Irish citizens affected and are coordinating closely with our international partners to ensure their safety.
"We will remain in close contact with our international partners, in the EU and the UN, as the situation evolves."
More than 150 Iranians call for change of regime
More than 150 Iranians have gathered in Dublin city centre this afternoon to continue their calls for a change of regime in Iran.
They have been holding weekly demonstrations to highlight the many lives lost during the government's crackdown on protestors in Iran.
There is an overwhelming sentiment among Iranians here that the intervention by the US is "necessary " to achieve democracy.
Many Iranians say that they believe dialogue with the current regime is not a possibility and this action by the US was the last option.
Alireza Kasaian who is originally from Tehran said Mr Trump has "kept his word" about taking action.
He said while it is dangerous for people in Iran with strikes, they have already lost thousands of people under the actions of the current regime.
The intervention by the US and Israel was described by one protestor as an action "that would ultimately save more lives".
Several others described the latest developments as "a rescue mission, not a sign of war".
One man who had witnessed people around him being killed during protests in Iran last month said he is disturbed by what he saw, with "girls as young as 13 being shot dead".
'What we want to see now is a de-escalation' - McEntee
Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee called the strikes "profoundly unhelpful".
"I am deeply concerned that the US and Israel have decided to launch widespread armed conflict against Iran at this time," she said. "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.
"I call 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."
Live updates: US and Israel strike Iran
Murphy calls on Taoiseach to cancel White House visit
People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy called on the Taoiseach to condemn the US and Israeli attacks and cancel his upcoming visit to the White House for St Patrick's Day.
Mr Murphy 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."
Speaking to RTÉ's Saturday with Cormac Ó hEadhra, Minister of State at the Department of Finance Robert Troy said the Taoiseach and Government are "very clear" that international law and the principles of the UN Charter must be adhered to "regardless of who is participating in the conflict", and that the Taoiseach will use the opportunity when he travels to the White House to articulate Ireland's position on international issues.
"The Taoiseach is very, very clear that conflict should be resolved through negotiations and diplomacy in line with the principles of the UN Charter," he said.
Opposition condemn attacks, call for negotiations
The Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said the situation in Iran as "an act of unprovoked military aggression".
She noted it was the "second such action" in nine months and described it as "incredibly dangerous".
"Lives are at stake, civilian lives. We know that already children and young people have been killed," she said.
Deputy McDonald called for a cessation of action and for a return to the negotiating table so that diplomacy wins out.
Asked if it was something the Taoiseach needed to raise with the US President during his St Patrick's Day visit to the White House, the Sinn Féin leader acknowledged the visit presented an opportunity for the Taoiseach to raise "all manner of concerns" with Mr Trump.
However, she stressed the urgency regarding the situation in Iran.
"I think that unprovoked aggression like this breaches every rule in the book. It's another pushback against international law, against democracy and it needs to stop," she said.
The Sinn Féin Leader described it as "a really, really frightening turn of events" and that the human cost was innocent Iranian families and civilians.
Labour's Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Duncan Smith TD said that "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 deescalate this conflict.
"Ultimately these strikes originate from the Trump administrations pulling out of the treaty [Barack] Obama negotiated with Iran on enrichment.
"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.
"Launching pre-emptive strikes despite reports that breakthroughs had occurred in negotiations on stockpiling, risks a new long-term war in the Middle East.
"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."
Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore said that it was "really unfortunate" that negotiations that were under way were not allowed to continue and that the US and Israel have "completely undermined" those talks.
"The Iranian regime is a brutal regime, there's no stepping back from that, but there was diplomatic negotiations happening and they should have been allowed to continue," she said.
"The impact on local civilians, the wider region and globally - we really have no idea where this is going to end."
Minister McEntee advised Irish citizens against travel to Iran or Israel, as the countries continue to target each other.
"There are a small number of Irish citizens in Iran, most of whom have been resident in the country for many years," she said.
"Our Embassies in the region are actively engaged to support Irish citizens who are affected.
"Our 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. You should follow the directions of the local authorities and advice issued on social media by the Irish Embassy to your country of residence.
"Our Embassies in the region are closely monitoring the situation and continuing to provide consular assistance. We would ask relatives and friends who have queries or concerns about family members in the region to contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade consular team in Dublin at +353 1 4082000."
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Disruption to flights to Middle East from Dublin Airport
Dublin Airport is expecting disruption to services tomorrow and is advising anyone travelling to the region to check with their airlines.
Graeme McQueen, Head of Media Relations at daa, the operator of Dublin Airport said it has been working with airlines throughout the day.
"This included the facilitation of a number of technical stops by airlines, allowing them to refuel planes that had to be diverted due to the closure of the airports they were heading for whilst already airborne.
"A total of nine flights between Dublin Airport and airports in the Middle East have been cancelled today, including 2 inbound flights (Dubai and Doha) and seven outbound services (Dubai x3, Doha x3 and Abu Dhabi)," he said.
Mr McQueen added: "Further disruption to flight schedules on Sunday has already been confirmed.
"Qatar Airways has cancelled its full Sunday schedule of two outbound and two inbound services between Dublin and Doha, while both Emirates and Etihad Airways have cancelled their early morning inbound and outbound services, with the rest of their Sunday schedules remaining under review.
"Passengers due to fly on Sunday are advised to contact their airline directly for the latest updates on their flight."
Additional reporting: Samantha Libreri and Karen Creed
