The UK Foreign Office has advised British nationals to exercise increased caution when travelling to 16 countries in the Middle East, including popular holiday destinations such as Cyprus, Egypt, and Dubai, due to escalating regional tensions.
The warning comes after Iran unexpectedly closed its airspace to commercial flights for approximately four hours on Thursday, without prior notice. The closure was lifted shortly before 3am GMT on Friday, according to flight tracking service Flightradar24.
In a statement, the Foreign Office said: 'There is a heightened risk of regional tension. Escalation could lead to travel disruption and other unanticipated impacts. British nationals should take sensible precautions, considering their own individual circumstances.'
The UK temporarily closed its embassy in Tehran on Wednesday, switching to remote operations. The Foreign Office reminded travellers that ignoring its advice could affect insurance coverage, particularly in cases of cancellation, delays, or emergency assistance.
Protests in Iran, which began in December over soaring inflation and currency collapse, have expanded into demands for political change. More than 2,000 people have been killed during the unrest, according to reports.
