Latest news with #embassy
Irish Times
19 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Times
More than €100,000 spent on project to deliver premises for Irish embassy in Iran
More than €100,000 has been spent on a project to deliver a premises for the Irish embassy in Iran and official accommodation for the ambassador, newly released records show. The spending is part of around €2 million in costs incurred by the Department of Foreign Affairs since the decision was taken to re-establish the embassy in 2021. Ireland's diplomatic mission in Tehran – which comprises of four staff including ambassador Laoise Moore – was evacuated earlier this month amid the conflict between Iran and Israel . They had been operating from a space provided by the embassy of Germany while efforts continued for Ireland get its own premises. READ MORE Almost €105,000 has been spent on the department's Tehran property project across 2024 and 2025 to deliver a chancery premises for the re-established embassy and the official accommodation for the ambassador. Some €65,590 of this was spent on 'furniture, fixtures and equipment for the official accommodation'. [ Markets kept calm and carried on through Middle East turmoil Opens in new window ] Spending on 'engineering, design and architectural services' came to €27,258. Other expenditure included 'legal services' (€2,125); 'low-value office equipment' (€1,135); and 'project support costs, including travel' (€8,662). There is separate spending on 'office premises' of some €189,302 since 2021. The Department of Foreign Affairs said this figure: 'relates to the rent and operating costs of the temporary chancery and official accommodation. 'This also includes energy costs, cleaning and routine maintenance for the ongoing operation of both premises.' The department did not confirm whether a premises has been identified for the permanent chancery nor whether it is expected to be rented or purchased. It also did not offer an estimated total cost for the Tehran property project. Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris announced on June 20th that Ireland's diplomats were being temporarily relocated from Tehran. [ Surging Iranian nationalism is an unintended consequence of Israel's attacks Opens in new window ] Due to the war between Israel and Iran he had become 'increasingly concerned about the operational environment for our embassy' and 'the ability of our diplomatic staff to perform their functions safely'. The United States later bombed Iran's nuclear sites and a ceasefire between Israel and Iran began last week. The Irish embassy to Iran is operating remotely from Dublin. The Department of Foreign Affairs said: 'A decision for diplomatic staff to return to Tehran will involve a number of factors, including an assessment of the security situation. 'This will be carried out in consultation with other diplomatic missions in Tehran.' The previous Irish embassy in Tehran closed in 2012 for financial reasons in the wake of the economic crash. Then-minister for foreign affairs Simon Coveney announced the re-establishment of an Irish diplomatic presence in Iran in 2021 and the ambassador, Ms Moore, arrived in Tehran in September 2024. The department's total costs for the Irish mission in Iran have come to €1,971,840 between 2021 and April 11th 2025. Records released under the Freedom of Information Act show staff costs stood at more than €1 million. Almost €57,200 was spent on the purchase of two vehicles, which the department has said were 'essential for security and safety reasons'. 'Travel and subsistence' spending comes to €47,242. The Government previously defended plans to reopen the embassy amid concerns over Iran's human rights record, its support for armed groups in the region, and tensions between Iran and Israel. A Department of Foreign Affairs statement late last year said: 'The presence of an Irish Embassy in Tehran provides a channel for the Government to raise our concerns about Iran's policies in a number of areas directly with the Iranian authorities'. It also said: 'Ireland's engagement with Iran on these issues is more credible because of our presence in the country.'
Wall Street Journal
2 days ago
- Politics
- Wall Street Journal
U.S. Embassy in Israel Eases Restrictions
The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem will resume regular consular activities Wednesday and has lifted orders for government employees and their families to shelter in place, following the cease-fire between Israel and Iran. The embassy had earlier limited services due to the conflict. The embassy said travel outside major cities is still restricted for government staff and their families, except for transit between them and to and from some departure points.
Arab News
6 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
US envoy leaves Russia as detente faltering
MOSCOW: The US ambassador to Russia, Lynne Tracy, is departing Moscow, leaving Washington without a top envoy in the country as a rapprochement being pushed by US President Donald Trump falters. Moscow earlier this week accused Washington of not being 'ready' to take steps to restore the normal functioning of their embassies, hobbled by years of tit-for-tat restrictions and expulsions of diplomats. Trump has not yet nominated a successor to Tracy, the first woman to hold the post and who was appointed by ex-President Joe Biden and is leaving after two-and-a-half years in the role. Trump has overhauled Biden's policy of isolating Vladimir Putin over his Ukraine offensive, holding several calls with the Kremlin chief and raising the prospect of boosting bilateral ties. 'I am proud to have represented my country in Moscow during such a challenging time,' Tracy said in a message posted by the embassy on social media. She also quoted lines from a poem by Alexander Pushkin, Russia's famed national poet. Diplomats from the two countries have held several rounds of negotiations under Trump on issues ranging from the Ukraine conflict and prisoner exchanges to normalizing embassy operations. But on Wednesday the Kremlin accused Washington of being 'not yet ready' to remove barriers to the work of their respective diplomatic missions. Trump has shown increasing frustration with Putin over his refusal to end Moscow's three-year offensive on Ukraine. Since the Republican returned to the White House, Putin has repeatedly rejected calls for an unconditional ceasefire, demanded Kyiv cede more territory, urged his troops to keep advancing and escalated deadly missile and drone attacks on Ukraine.
LBCI
25-06-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Russia says US not ready to fully restore work of embassies
The Kremlin on Wednesday said Washington was not yet ready to remove barriers to the work of their respective embassies, as efforts to normalize relations between the two countries stall. "Despite some progress, the American side is not yet ready to seriously address the difficulties hampering embassies' work," Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told journalists, including AFP, at a briefing. AFP
BBC News
23-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Why US Embassy ban citizens from military facilities for Abuja
Di United States Mission for Nigeria don give security alert to Americans wey dey di capital of di West African kontri. For statement wey dem release, di US Consulate draw ear for American citizens to avoid any travel to military goment facilities wey no too dey important. Di United States Consulate say dem bring out dis security warning sake of increased global security concerns. Dem also tell all dia embassy staff including dia families make dem no visit military sites or oda goment places for di Federal Capital Territory, Abuja unless na official work wey dey required. "Due to increased security concerns wey dey arise from current global developments, U.S. Mission Nigeria dey informs U.S. citizens say all US Embassy employees and dia families dey banned from non-official travel to a Nigerian military site or oda goment venue for Abuja at dis time." dem tok inside statement. Di US Consulate also advise dia citizens wey dey currently live or travel through Nigeria to shine dia eyes well-well and remain vigilant. Di security alert also tell dem di kain actions dem suppose take incase of any kasala. Di actions wey dem go take na for dem to dey alert for public places, wit particular attention to location and venues wia Westerners, expatriates, and government officials frequent. Despite di kasala wey dey happun across di world, Nigeria dey also face internal security problems wey don lead to several deaths in di last three months. Recently one suicide bomber bin dey for near one Abuja Military base. No be di first time international organizations dey bring our security warnings like dis for dia citizens.
