Diplomatic relations between Iran and Ireland were established in 1976. Following the issuing of a statement by the two countries' delegations in New York, the Iranian Ambassador to the Netherlands was appointed as the accredited Ambassador to Ireland. The Irish government, in turn, opened its representative office in 1976 by sending a chargé d'affaires to Tehran.
A Joint Economic Commission between the two countries was established 2002 holding meetings alternatively in Dublin and Tehran at the level of foreign ministers. The last meeting of the Joint Commission was held in December 2002 in Dublin.
Subsequently, the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran established her embassy in Dublin in 1983In 1991, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the foreign ministers of the two countries in Tehran to pave the way for further expansion of relations.
The Chairperson of the Irish Parliament Visited Iran
In a significant development in relations between the two countries, Mr. Seán Barrett, Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann (Chairperson of the Irish Parliament), traveled to Iran on 28th September 1993 on an official visit. This was the first visit of an Irish parliamentary Chairperson in 23 years.
In 2008 during a new round of travel, Mr. Safari, the then Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Europe, paid a visit to Ireland. In the same year, the Deputy Minister for Housing and Urban Development of Iran traveled to Ireland to present and propose investment packages for the housing sector and he met with officials from the Irish Department of Housing as well as managers of construction companies. In 2008, H.E. Mr. Mottaki, the former Minister for Foreign Affairs of the I.R. of Iran also visited Ireland.
In 2013 following the holding of the presidential election in Iran and the formation of the 11th government, Mr. Pat Breen, Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, Trade and Defence, headed a six-member delegation which visited the I.R. of Iran. During this visit, which took place after a break of about twenty years, the delegation met with various officials.
Mr. Bertie Ahern, the former Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland, and an accompanying business delegation traveled to the Islamic Republic of Iran in February 2014. They met with various government officials and discussed a wide range of bilateral political and economic issues.
Another event in the political relations between the two countries was the visit of Mr. Barry Robinson, Political Director and Mr. Pat Kelly, Regional Director General of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland to Tehran on 11th July 2014.
Also in September 2014 a five-member delegation of the Parliamentary Friendship Group of the Islamic Consultative Assembly met with the Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann (Chairperson of the Irish Parliament), the Cathaoirleach (Chairperson) of Seanad Éireann, the Minister for Agriculture, the Minister for Defence and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. The delegation also met the Chairman and members of the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs, Trade and Defence, as well as members of the Irish-Iranian Parliamentary Friendship Group.
Selected Meetings of Officials from both Countries:
Mr. Takht Ravanchi's trip to Dublin
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Europe and the United States, Mr. Majid Takht-Ravanchi travelled to Ireland on 28th February 2015 to hold talks with senior officials.
Dr. Larijani meets with the Taoiseach, Irish Government Ministers, Chairpersons of both Houses of the Oireachtas and Iranians living in Dublin
During his visit to Dublin in June 2015 Dr. Larijani, Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, met with the Taoiseach, the Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann, the Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Minister for Defence, the Minister for Agriculture and the Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation.
The Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann travels to Iran
On 30th October 2017 Mr. Denis O’Donovan, Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann, headed a delegation of Irish senators which visited Iran and met with the President of the Islamic Republic and the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly.
Meeting of the Presidents of Iran and Ireland on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly
In September 2019 Dr. Hassan Rouhani, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran met with Mr Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. During the meeting bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest were discussed.
Meeting of the Speakers of the Two Parliaments on the sidelines of the Inter-Parliamentary Meeting in Belgrade
In October 2019 the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament met with the Chairperson of the Irish Seanad on the sidelines of the Inter-Parliamentary Meeting in Belgrade to discuss bilateral cooperation, especially with regard to parliamentary relations. In the final report the parties concluded that their discussion had been positive and constructive.
High-Ranking Irish Diplomats Visit Tehran
A high-level Irish delegation headed by the Political Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland and accompanying diplomats visited Tehran on 20th February 2020 to hold political consultations and sign a bilateral memorandum of understanding for ongoing political consultation.