Foreign Policy

Thursday, 5 February 2026

Questions (68, 71, 106)

Shay Brennan

Question:

68. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her response to the suppression of peaceful protestors in Iran; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8625/26]

View answer

Aisling Dempsey

Question:

71. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action she is taking with EU counterparts in relation to the situation in Iran; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8290/26]

View answer

John Lahart

Question:

106. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an update on the situation in Iran. [8733/26]

View answer

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

I propose to take Questions Nos. 68, 71 and 106 together.

Ireland has expressed its unequivocal condemnation of the violence, killing and brutal repression of protestors by the authorities in Iran. Minister McEntee reiterated this condemnation most recently at the Foreign Affairs Council on 29 January. The scale and extent of the violence meted out by the Iranian state against its own population is shocking and appalling.

While accurate reports as to the numbers killed, injured and interned still remain sparse due to the continuing communication blockages by the Iranian authorities, it is clear that thousands have been killed and many more injured and imprisoned. We hear disturbing reports that violent oppression continues against those in custody, and even the families of the dead face continued abuses.

While state repression has suppressed the recent protests, the underlying issues have not been addressed and the authorities have not engaged with or sought to meet the demands and wishes expressed by their own people.

Both the Government and the European Union have made clear our condemnation of these actions.

At the Foreign Affairs Council last week, the EU adopted sanctions against those responsible for the crackdown, including the Minister of the Interior and those involved in Iran’s continuing support for Russia's illegal war of aggression in Ukraine, and expanded export controls. These measures add to existing sanctions on Iran under three headings: human rights, support to Russia’s war on Ukraine, and the Iranian nuclear programme. All three are kept under constant review, with names of key individuals and entities added as appropriate.

The Foreign Affairs Council also agreed to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps of Iran (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation. The IRGC were already subject to extensive EU sanctions under earlier listings.

Ireland joined in calling for a Special Session of the UN Human Rights Council on 23 January. The resolution adopted at that session, and the EU and Irish national statements to the session, clearly state our views on the current situation in Iran and their ongoing violation of human rights. The Council renewed for two years the mandate of the Independent Fact Finding Mission on Iran, set up by the HRC with Ireland's support in 2022, and charged it to investigate the recent and continuing events.

We echo the calls in the resolution, and by the UN Commissioner for Human Rights, to uncover and seek accountability for the actions Iran has tried to hide under a media and communications blackout. Iranian people are courageous and resourceful, and the truth will emerge.

The Government welcomes reports that the US and Iran may meet on Friday 6 February following extensive efforts by regional partners including Türkiye, Egypt and Qatar. I commend these efforts and hope they will lead to substantive dialogue. I urge the Iranian authorities to engage meaningfully with the international community, to address legitimate concerns, including regarding Iran's nuclear programme. We believe that diplomacy rather than military solutions offer the best way to address these serious concerns, if Iran is willing to meaningfully engage.

Ireland will continue to monitor the situation in Iran, and calls for the end of further violence and the restoration of communication services. The Government will remain in close coordination with our EU partners on this issue.