All possible steps must be taken to avoid Middle East escalation – Connolly

President of Ireland Catherine Connolly said all possible steps must be taken to avoid a further escalation in the Middle East (Brian Lawless/PA) - (PA Wire)

All possible steps must be taken to avoid a further escalation of tensions in the Middle East following missile strikes on Iran, Irish president Catherine Connolly has said.

Irish premier Micheal Martin said he is “deeply concerned” about the risk of wider conflict in the area while Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said the joint action by the US and Israel was “unprovoked military aggression”.