Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris has held talks with the foreign affairs ministers of Saudi Arabia and Jordan over the "increasingly dangerous" situation unfolding in the Middle East.
The talks were held as the Tánaiste continues to be briefed this evening on efforts to assist Irish citizens who wish to leave Israel and Iran.
There is a particular concern about the safety of diplomats in Iran and Ireland is working with other partners about potential routes out.
In his talks with Jordanian and Saudi Arabian counterparts, Mr Harris pointed to the fact that Iran will attend talks in Geneva tomorrow, which is seen as crucial for any breakthrough to take place.
Ireland will be represented at the meeting by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas. The UK will also be in attendance.
"It is not possible to overstate the serious moment of danger, not just in Iran and in Israel, but indeed in the broader region, and indeed in relation to global security.
"We need Iran and Israel to step back from the brink," Mr Harris said.
"I think that is a really important moment to try and get to a position where we can get Iran back to the negotiating table in relation to its nuclear programme."
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Speaking earlier on RTÉ's Today with Claire Byrne, Mr Harris said there are around 29 Irish citizens and 12 dependents in Iran, most of whom are in Tehran.
Most are long-term residents and many are duel citizens, he said, adding that there are also around 200 Irish citizens in Israel, many of whom have been there for a long time.
"But a relatively small number of people in both Iran and Israel would like to leave, if the opportunity arises, for very understandable reasons," he said.
"Yesterday our embassies contacted all known Irish citizens who had expressed an interest in this and were working through what we call the Civil Assistance Mechanism, working with other EU member states, to help people leave when it's possible and safe to do so. That will vary.
"The airspace is closed so in Iran, it means going over a land border, which is not without risk, and from an Israeli point of view it means going to maybe Jordan or Egypt where flights can go from.
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"So there are a number of options available to us. We're working very closely with a number of member states and we're also having to, in a very serious way, look at how we best support our diplomats because the situation is deteriorating quite significantly in terms of being able to effectively operate in the country and also safety and security issues."
It comes as Ireland works closely with a number of countries, including Austria, Jordan and Egypt on an evacuation plan for Irish citizens and their dependents in Israel and Iran.
The Tánaiste has been in touch with several EU counterparts in recent days amid huge diplomatic efforts by Ireland and he is expected to speak to the Jordanian Foreign Minister today.
Irish citizens could get a bus to Egypt or Jordan this weekend as part of an evacuation plan which is being worked on in partnership with Austria.
Taoiseach calls for dialogue
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that Iran has been a malign actor in the Middle East for some time, and that dialogue is the only way to resolve around the country's nuclear capabilities.
Speaking on RTÉ’s News At One, he said that dialogue should restart between the US and Iran, but Iran should make it very clear it will not pursue further enrichment of uranium or progress to developing nuclear bomb capacity.
He said that through the EU, Ireland can urge restraint and de-escalation.
The Taoiseach added that there is too much war and conflict in the world, with too many innocent civilians losing their lives, pointing to the "catastrophic situation in Gaza" as well as civilians being killed in Sudan, Israel and Iran.
He said that what was needed globally was stability and peace.
