The Irish embassy in Tehran has temporarily closed in light of escalating clashes between Iran and Israel, Tánaiste Simon Harris has said.
Israel began attacking Iran last Friday, saying its long-time enemy was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons.
Iran, which says its nuclear programme is only for peaceful purposes, has retaliated with missile and drone strikes on Israel.
Mr Harris, who is also Minister for Foreign Affairs, said that given the "dangerous" and "deteriorating" situation, Ireland's embassy in the Iranian capital was temporarily closing and its personnel relocated.
He said the embassy's operations will continue in Dublin, adding the Department of Foreign Affairs will assume the embassy's "consular functions and remain in contact with the small number of Irish citizens remaining in Iran".
It is understood the Irish diplomats left Tehran by road, along with a number of diplomats from other EU countries, as Iranian airspace remains closed.
They had a 12-hour journey to get to the border of Iran and at around 6pm this evening, they crossed out of the country.
There was four Irish staff in the embassy in Tehran, but two had already left, while Ambassador Laoise Moore and one other remained until today.
Mr Harris said the decision was made over increasing concern "about the operational environment for our embassy in Tehran and the ability of our diplomatic staff to perform their functions safely".
"These arrangements will continue until it is possible for our personnel to return to Iran," he added.
The Government has been engaged in major diplomatic efforts to assist Irish citizens living in Iran and Israel who may want to leave both countries.
There are around 30 Irish people living in Iran, however not all of them are expected to leave the country.
There are no plans to close the Irish embassy in Tel Aviv or the Irish diplomatic representation in Ramallah in the West Bank.
Watch: Tánaiste says Irish diplomats have left Iran
Earlier today, the UK announced it was temporarily withdrawing its staff from its embassy in Iran, and that it would continue to operate its embassy remotely.
Australia, Czech Republic, Switzerland and Slovakia are among other countries who have also announced the temporary closure of their Iranian embassies.
Top European diplomats today opened talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abas Araghchi in Geneva, saying they wanted to offer a "diplomatic solution" to the war.
Israel pressed the Europeans to adopt a "firm stance" with Iran in the talks, underlining that it was "not part of that meeting".
Live updates on Iran-Israel conflict
European ministers spoke in advance to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio who signalled the US is open to direct talks even as it considers joining Israeli strikes intended to hinder Tehran's nuclear capacity, the sources said.
The ministers from Britain, France and Germany - known as the E3 - plus the European Union's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, met separately in Geneva prior to talks with Mr Araqchi.
A UN Security Council session is also under way, with Secretary General Antonio Guterres calling on both sides and potential parties to the conflict to "give peace a chance."
Iran said it would continue to defend itself against Israel, while Israel's UN ambassador vowed that his country would not stop its attacks until Iran's nuclear threat is dismantled.
Additional reporting: AFP/Reuters
