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The UK government is currently organizing efforts to assist at least 200,000 British nationals located in the Gulf region, amid ongoing attacks launched by Iran in response to military actions involving Israel and the US. More than 94,000 British citizens have registered their whereabouts and contact details with the Foreign Office to receive direct updates. Most of these individuals are either holidaymakers in the United Arab Emirates or travelers passing through key international hub airports.
Officials in the UK are reportedly developing contingency plans to evacuate British nationals if airspace closures continue to disrupt commercial flights. Many routes have already been affected, with cancellations and diversions impacting flights to and from destinations including Tel Aviv, Dubai, and Doha. The government has urged British citizens residing or traveling through Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, the Palestinian territories, Qatar, and the UAE to register their presence with the Foreign Office for regular updates on the situation.
At present, UK nationals in the affected areas are advised to remain where they are and follow local authority guidance, while closely monitoring travel advice that may be updated frequently due to the rapidly evolving security environment. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirmed on Sunday evening that the number of British people in the region includes residents, families on vacation, and those in transit. He highlighted that Iran’s missile strikes have targeted airports and hotels where British citizens have been staying.
Sir Keir urged all British nationals to register their presence and adhere to government guidance as the situation unfolds. This is the first time that the UK government’s crisis response operation has spanned multiple countries simultaneously, handling an unprecedented number of people. In addition to recommending that British nationals in Dubai and Doha stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel, officials have issued similar advice to those in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, and Turkey to stay vigilant and take shelter when necessary.
On the military front, the Israeli armed forces stated they have continued targeting locations in Tehran following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an airstrike. Iran has pledged to respond with “devastating blows,” firing missiles towards neighboring countries and US military sites. Dubai has suffered missile and drone attacks causing damage to luxury hotels and its major international airport, known as the busiest worldwide by passenger numbers. Thankfully, no British nationals have been reported injured or killed to date.
Defence Secretary John Healey revealed that about 300 UK troops stationed near a base in Bahrain were close to an Iranian missile strike. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has been in contact with regional leaders, expressing solidarity amid what he described as a “dangerous Iranian escalation.” Although the UK was not involved in the recent strikes, British forces remain active in the Middle East as part of defensive operations. On Sunday, the Ministry of Defence confirmed that an RAF Typhoon jet operating from Qatar successfully shot down an Iranian drone
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