Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper announced on Tuesday that 100,000 UK nationals have been evacuated from the Middle East since the start of the conflict with Iran, representing one-third of the estimated 300,000 Britons who were in the region. Many were stranded when airspace closed, including tourists and Gulf residents who have temporarily left.
Cooper faced pressure from MPs to assist those still stuck in the region, including individuals struggling to extend visas in countries where they were holidaying before US and Israeli strikes on Iran. She also updated Parliament on Britain's role in discussions about an international coalition to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing that this is separate from the conflict.
“The focus at the moment is what the practical measure might be to ensure shipping can be restored as the conflict subsides and so Iran cannot continue with the long-term ability to hold hostage the global economy,” Cooper said. The UK is in talks with European allies, the US, and Gulf states to plan the safe return of commercial shipping.
Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel pressed Cooper on commitments to Gulf states hosting British bases, urging that “Britain cannot stand by while our allies do the heavy lifting to protect us all.” Cooper confirmed the UK is providing direct military defensive support, including F35 and Typhoon aircraft in the region.
Cooper condemned Israeli forces for killing a Palestinian family in the West Bank and settler expansion, warning that Lebanon is “on the precipice of a widening conflict.” She announced an additional £10 million in humanitarian aid for Lebanon and the region. Responding to concerns about US President Donald Trump's reliability, Cooper said the focus should be on substantive issues, not rhetoric.
