UK Prepares Major Operation to Support Britons in the Gulf
The UK government is preparing a major operation to support at least 200,000 British nationals. Currently in the Gulf as Iran continues to launch strikes across the region in response to attacks by Israel and the US. More than 94,000 Britons have already registered their location and contact details with the Foreign Office to receive direct updates. Most are holidaymakers in the United Arab Emirates or travellers passing through major international airports. Officials are now drawing up contingency plans to evacuate UK nationals if regional airspace remains closed.Read more
Flights Disrupted as Britons Urged to Register
Flights to and from key hubs including Tel Aviv, Dubai and Doha have been cancelled or diverted. Disrupting travel across the Middle East. The government has urged British nationals in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, the Palestinian territories, Qatar and the UAE to register their presence so they can receive the latest guidance. Britons in the region are currently advised to stay where they are follow instructions from local authorities. Closely monitor Foreign Office travel advice which officials warn could change rapidly.
Starmer Warns of Sustained Iranian Attacks
Speaking on Sunday evening Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said around 200,000 British citizens were in the area including residents, holidaymakers and people in transit. He said Iran had carried out sustained attacks across the region, striking airports and hotels where British citizens were staying. “I ask all our people in the region to please register your presence and follow Foreign Office travel advice,” he said, adding that the government understood how worrying the situation was and would continue to do everything possible to support those affected. Read More
Crisis Response Expands Across the Region
The government has advised British nationals travelling through Dubai and Doha to stay indoors in secure locations and avoid unnecessary movement. Officials say the crisis response programme is operating across multiple countries at once for the first time, making it the largest operation of its kind. They also expect the number of people requiring support to rise further. Meanwhile Israel’s military said it had continued to strike targets in central Tehran following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in an airstrike on Saturday. Iran has vowed to retaliate with what it called “devastating blows,” firing missiles at neighbouring countries and US military targets.
UK Troops at Risk as RAF Conducts Defensive Patrols
In Dubai residents have largely stayed indoors after missile and drone strikes damaged luxury hotels. The city’s main airport the world’s busiest by passenger numbers. Elsewhere, British nationals in Saudi Arabia have been told to remain indoors while those in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen and Turkey have been advised to stay vigilant and take shelter if necessary. The government said no British nationals have been killed or injured so far.
However, Defence Secretary John Healey revealed that around 300 UK troops were within a few hundred yards of an Iranian strike on a base in Bahrain. Sir Keir has also spoken to regional leaders to express solidarity amid what he described as a dangerous escalation by Iran. While the UK played no role in Saturday’s strikes British aircraft are conducting defensive patrols in the region. On Sunday an RAF Typhoon jet operating from Qatar shot down an Iranian drone according to the Ministry of Defence.
Conclusion
As tensions continue to rise across the Middle East. The UK government faces growing pressure to protect its citizens while avoiding direct involvement in the conflict. With travel disruption worsening and security risks increasing, officials warn the situation may change rapidly in the days ahead.
