The Foreign Office is drawing up contingency plans to evacuate tens of thousands of British citizens from the Middle East as tensions escalate following US-Israeli strikes on Iran. An estimated 200,000 British nationals are believed to be in the region, with many stranded in Dubai after its airspace was closed.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged all Britons in affected areas to register with the Foreign Office for advice; around 94,000 have done so. Over 50,000 of those registered are in the United Arab Emirates, mostly holidaymakers and business travellers. The government advises people to follow local instructions and shelter in place where directed.
Whitehall sources said officials are exploring all options, including evacuation by road to neighbouring countries such as Saudi Arabia if airspace remains shut. The Ministry of Defence is working with the Foreign Office on an unprecedented consular operation to identify and support those in need.
The Foreign Office now advises against all travel to Iran, Israel and Palestine, and against all but essential travel to the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain. British nationals in Saudi Arabia are told to stay at home, while those in Jordan, Oman, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and Iraq should take precautions.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is expected to address the crisis on Monday after a weekend of diplomatic calls with regional counterparts, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and G7 foreign ministers. Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz issued a joint statement condemning Iran's “indiscriminate and disproportionate” missile attacks and pledging to defend their interests, potentially through “necessary and proportionate defensive action”.
Defence Secretary John Healey said few would mourn the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, describing the regime as “evil”. He confirmed that UK military planes are active in the region to protect British citizens and interests, and noted that 300 UK troops were near an Iranian strike on a base in Bahrain. Two missiles were also fired towards Cyprus, where thousands of UK personnel are stationed, though they are not believed to have been deliberately targeted at British bases.
