The Irish government has indefinitely postponed the accreditation ceremony for Iran’s newly appointed ambassador, Eshagh Al Habib, in response to ongoing civil unrest and violent crackdowns on anti-government protests in Iran. The decision, announced by Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs, comes amid reports of thousands of casualties and a severe communications blackout in the Middle Eastern nation.
The credential presentation ceremony, which was scheduled for Tuesday morning at Áras an Uachtaráin (the official residence of the Irish president), would have formally enabled Ambassador-designate Al Habib to commence his diplomatic duties in Ireland. This ceremonial protocol requires all ambassadors to receive presidential approval before undertaking their official responsibilities.
While the Iranian diplomat’s accreditation was delayed, President Catherine Connolly proceeded with welcoming two other ambassadors: Japanese Ambassador Miyagawa Manabu and Pakistani Ambassador Mariam Aftab during separate ceremonies in the State Reception Room.
The postponement has received cross-party support from Ireland’s political opposition. Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy characterized the decision as “an appropriate response at this time,” while Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman urged the government to employ “every diplomatic technique” to address the deteriorating situation in Iran. Both the Labour Party and Social Democrats similarly endorsed the move, expressing grave concerns about human rights violations occurring during the protests that began on December 28.
The Irish government’s action represents a significant diplomatic statement regarding the treatment of Iranian citizens, with officials citing “significant numbers of Iranians killed or injured” and the government-imposed information blackout as primary reasons for delaying the ambassador’s accreditation.