Irish president warns against 'normalization of war' amid Middle East tensions

ISTANBUL

Irish President Catherine Connolly warned against normalizing war as tensions continue to escalate across the Middle East region amid US-Israeli attacks on Iran, broadcaster RTE reported Monday.

"The normalization of war can never be accepted. Now, more than ever, we must renew our commitment to peace and diplomacy in line with the principles of international law as set out in the United Nations charter," Connolly said as part of her St. Patrick's Day message.

She reiterated Ireland's "neutral" position, underlining that it can offer a "valuable perspective" on the challenges facing the world.

"We understand that peace is not merely the absence of war but also the presence of justice," Connolly noted.

Last week, Connolly also criticized the "deliberate assaults on international law" in the Middle East and said the UN charter "cannot be ignored."

Tensions in the Middle East have escalated since the US and Israel launched a large-scale attack on Iran on Feb. 28, killing more than 1,300 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, over 150 schoolgirls, and senior military officials.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets.