Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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234. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his assessment of the current situation in Iran; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26981/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Ireland and our EU partners engage with Iran on a wide range of matters of concern in Iran and regarding Iranian policy. At the EU level, these issues were most recently discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council in February. They include Iran's support for Russia's illegal war of aggression in Ukraine, the arbitrary detention of EU citizens, internal repression of dissent and human rights including women's rights and the rights of ethnic and religious minorities, and the arbitrary use of the death penalty, and Iran's support of militant groups in the region. Ireland and the EU are also concerned about the Iranian nuclear programme, its enrichment of uranium to near weapons grade and the potential for regional nuclear weapons proliferation.

Senior Iranian officials have stated that they wish to achieve less confrontational international relationships, including with Europe. While this would be welcome, it will require a change of approach by Iran in these areas.

We welcome Iran’s engagement in current talks with the United States on the nuclear issue and hope that these talks can lead to a positive outcome. Efforts by countries in the region to improve relations as a contribution to regional security are welcome, notably between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Iran continues to host some of the largest numbers of refugees globally, largely from Afghanistan, which is a significant economic burden.

Ireland will continue to monitor and raise these issues with Iranian officials and our EU partners on all appropriate occasions.