The Foreign Office has issued an urgent travel warning for 16 countries, including popular holiday destinations such as Turkey, Dubai, Cyprus and Egypt. The advisory urges British nationals to 'take extra precautions' amid heightened regional tensions following Iran's abrupt shutdown of its airspace to commercial flights.
Iran closed its airspace for more than four hours early Thursday without explanation, forcing international airlines to reroute. The closure has since lifted, but concerns remain over potential military activity. The SafeAirspace website noted that several airlines have reduced or suspended services, and most carriers are avoiding Iranian airspace due to the risk of missile launches or misidentification of civilian aircraft.
The Foreign Office warned: 'There is a heightened risk of regional tension. Escalation could lead to travel disruption and other unanticipated impacts.' The advisory comes amid fears of possible US military action against Iran, which could spark broader conflict. Iran has previously shot down a civilian plane, Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 in 2020, killing all 176 on board.
Meanwhile, the US has ordered selected personnel to leave a key military base in Qatar and directed its embassy staff in Kuwait to halt trips to military sites. President Donald Trump made cryptic remarks about potential action, while Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi urged diplomacy, stating: 'Between war and diplomacy, diplomacy is a better way.'
The unrest in Iran follows a brutal crackdown on nationwide demonstrations, with at least 2,615 deaths reported by the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. Activists warn that executions of detainees could be imminent.
