Foreign Pool Report # 9

Martin’s main line was that, despite the tensions around Iran and NATO, the transatlantic relationship remains essential and should be repaired, not broken. He also tried to bridge Trump’s position and the European one: he agreed Iran cannot be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon, described Iran as a sponsor of terrorism, and then shifted to Ireland’s traditional argument that the goal must still be peace.

Key declarations from Micheál Martin:

On the U.S.-Europe relationship:

“First of all, I think, notwithstanding what has happened, the transatlantic relationship between Europe and the US is very, very important.”

“On a number of fronts. And I think we’ve had issues over the last year that will be settled, and I think many of these leaders engage in the deal, particularly on trade initially.”

“Remember all the fuss last year, but we got a landing zone between Europe and the US, and I think we can get a landing zone again.”

On Keir Starmer and Britain:

“I just met with Keir Starmer last week. The British-Irish relationship is a very important one.”

“Churchill was a big wartime leader, although in Ireland it was kind of a different perspective in terms of during the War of Independence, he created his own bit of difficulties for us, but that said, he was a big wartime hero.”

“Keir Starmer has done a lot to reset the Irish-British relationship. I just want to put that on the record.”

On Trump and European leaders:

“But I do believe that there is a very earnest person within you, [and you] have a capacity to get on with them.”

“You’ve got on with them before, and you’ve got on with other European leaders as well.”

“And I think you have that capacity again.”

On Iran:

“You cannot have a rogue state with a nuclear weapon or the capacity for a nuclear weapon.”

“Iran was a sponsor of terrorism.”

“We sanctioned Iran. All European countries did.”

“[The IRGC], in particular, [is] a terrorist organization.”

“They sponsored Hezbollah, and Houthis. They created mayhem, a most malign force in the Middle East.”

On Ireland’s position and peace:

“The Irish position has always been, ultimately, can we resolve this? Can we get peace?”

“And obviously, there were preconditions before you get to that situation.”

“We have our own conflict, which went on for 30 years, and we learned a lot from that in terms of how to try and bring about peace.”

On the Iranian people:

“I think I listened to you in terms of — you’re correct — our hearts go to the Iranian people, who have been repressed and suppressed for so many years.”

On Ukraine:

“And I think, likewise with Ukraine, I mean, the Russians did invade Ukraine, attacked civilian infrastructure and so on like that.”

“And for the people of Ukraine, who just want peace and an opportunity to live, I think we have to continue to work to see, can we bring peace.”

On the broader goal:

“[Can we get a] different regime to Iran, where Iranians can live in peace again?”

“The people in the Middle East can live in peace.”

“I think that’s what we want, is a peaceful resolution of conflict.”

“That’s what we come from, this small nation.”

“We are peacekeepers, all right. We’re the longest-serving nation in terms of provision of peacekeeping forces in the world, as it turns out.”

“But ultimately our conflicts came to an end, and I think we have to try and work towards that end.”