Fcdo Travel Advice: fcdo travel advice — UK mounts operation to support thousands of Britons in Middle East
The UK has mounted an operation to support at least 200, 000 British nationals across the Gulf as regional strikes disrupt travel. The government has urged people to register and to monitor fcdo travel advice while officials prepare possible evacuation plans if airspace remains closed.
Fcdo Travel Advice and registration
More than 94, 000 British nationals have registered their location and contact details to receive direct Foreign Office updates, with most registrants described as holidaymakers in the United Arab Emirates or people in transit at major hub airports. The government has asked British nationals in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, the Palestinian territories, Qatar and the UAE to register their presence to receive updates.
Evacuation planning and routes
Government officials are formulating potential plans to evacuate UK nationals should airspace in the region remain closed. Officials are drawing up plans that could involve evacuating tens of thousands if war in the Middle East escalates, and Whitehall sources have said options under consideration include evacuations different routes, including evacuation by road to neighbouring countries where airspace remains open, such as Saudi Arabia. The Ministry of Defence is working with the Foreign Office on options as part of an unprecedented consular operation involving registering people across multiple countries to identify who may need support.
Flights, airports and cancellations
Flights have been diverted or cancelled and journeys to and from Tel Aviv, Dubai, Doha and other international hubs have been affected. More than 3, 400 flights have been cancelled, and Dubai and Doha airports are closed; more than 3, 400 flights were cancelled on Sunday across seven airports in the Middle East. Dubai's main airport, described as the world's busiest by passenger traffic, and luxury hotels have been damaged as missiles and drones have hit parts of the city. Major airports have been forced to close for a second day, a disruption described as the most severe business disruption through the Gulf since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Government warnings and instructions
British nationals are currently advised to stay where they are and follow the instructions of local authorities, and to monitor the Foreign Office's travel advice. British nationals transiting through Dubai and Doha are being advised to remain indoors in a secure location and avoid travelling outside if possible. UK nationals in Saudi Arabia have been told to "remain indoors in a secure location", while those in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen and Turkey have been instructed to "remain vigilant" and take shelter if advised to do so. The Foreign Office's advice includes prohibitions and restrictions: it is against all travel to Iran, Israel and Palestine; it advises against all but essential travel to the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain; and there are further instructions to avoid travel to some parts of Pakistan.
Political statements and military actions
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said at least 200, 000 British citizens were in the region, including residents, families on holiday and those in transit. He said Iran had launched sustained attacks across the region and had "hit airports and hotels where British citizens are staying" and urged people to register: "I ask all our people in the region to please register your presence and follow Foreign Office travel advice. " He added: "I know this is a deeply worrying time. And we will continue to do all we can to support you. " Sir Keir also said he would permit the US to use British bases for defensive strikes against Iran.
Keir Starmer issued a joint statement with the French president, Emmanuel Macron, and the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, saying the three countries were ready to take steps to defend their interests in the region after Iran's "indiscriminate and disproportionate" missile attacks. "We will take steps to defend our interests and those of our allies in the region, potentially through enabling necessary and proportionate defensive action to destroy Iran's capability to fire missiles and drones at their source, " the statement said. "We have agreed to work together with the US and allies in the region on this matter. "
No 10 has refused to say whether the UK supports the US and Israeli strikes on Iran. John Healey, the defence secretary, said few will mourn Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, who died in the bombing, described the Iranian regime as "evil" and said it had menaced the west by sponsoring at least 20 terrorist plots to attack the UK, as well as involvement in proxy wars. Pressed on the legality of the strikes, he said it was "for the US to set out and explain" whether its action was legal. He also refused to be drawn on the UK having the declined use o — unclear in the provided context.
