New travel advice has been issued for countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar
The UK Foreign Office has issued a slew of travel alerts following US missile strikes on Iran on Sunday.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FDCO) advice for UK nationals in a host of countries including Jordan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait has been updated following the attacks, with travellers being warned against all travel to some areas.
It comes after Donald Trump ordered US planes and submarines to attack Iran’s nuclear programme on June 22. There was no British involvement in the action but the Government was informed before the US strikes.
Tehran has threatened to retaliate and Mr Trump has warned of further US action if necessary, saying: “There will either be peace or there will be tragedy for Iran.”
The UK government has issued updated travel advice for Israel, Palestine, Iraq, Qatar, the UAE, Jordan, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman.
In updated posts on travel advice pages for a host of countries including Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain, British nationals are advised: “Ongoing hostilities in the region and between Israel and Iran have the potential to deteriorate further, quickly and without warning including since US military strikes against Iran on 22 June.
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“There is a possibility of travel disruption, including short-notice airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights, and other unanticipated travel impacts.
We encourage you to:
- read the FCDO’s advice on if you’re affected by a crisis abroad
- monitor local and international media for the latest information
- be vigilant and follow the instructions of local authorities, avoiding all but essential travel to military bases
- check with relevant airlines for the latest updates before travelling”.
The FDCO continues to advise against all travel to all of Israel, Palestine, Iran, and Yemen, and parts of Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Lebanon.
Sir Keir Starmer has warned there was a risk of the Middle East crisis spiralling beyond the region following the US strikes on Sunday morning.
The Prime Minister urged all sides to return to negotiations but said he had taken “all necessary measures” to protect British interests in the region if the conflict escalates.
Speaking at his Chequers country retreat, the Prime Minister said there was a “risk of escalation” adding: “That’s a risk to the region. It’s a risk beyond the region, and that’s why all our focus has been on de-escalating, getting people back around to negotiate what is a very real threat in relation to the nuclear programme.
“In relation to the UK, we were not involved in the attack. We were given due notice, as we would expect, as close allies to the US, and we have been moving assets to the region to make sure we’re in a position to protect our own interests, our personnel and our assets, and, of course, those of our allies.”
