The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has updated its travel guidance for the United Arab Emirates, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other emirates, following an escalation in the Strait of Hormuz conflict on Monday.
Background of the Conflict
On Sunday, the US and Iran exchanged strikes over control of the Strait of Hormuz. The US military announced it had hit numerous targets to weaken Iranian forces, while Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they attacked US military assets in Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain, and Oman. President Donald Trump then announced the US would reinstate a naval blockade on Iran and impose a 20% charge on all cargo passing through the strait.
The escalation prompted the FCDO to update its travel advice page for the UAE on Monday evening, covering Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah.
FCDO Guidance for British Nationals
The updated guidance states: "The US and Iran have announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in relation to the conflict in the Middle East. The situation remains unpredictable and attacks could resume at short notice. Iran has carried out further attacks on the region since the MOU was agreed, and could do so again at short notice."
If hostilities resume, British nationals are advised to: read the government's advice on what to do if affected by a crisis abroad; follow the advice of local authorities; sign up to FCDO travel alerts; monitor local and international media; stay away from security and military facilities; keep departure plans under review; and ensure travel documents are up to date. If advised to take shelter, they should stay indoors or find the nearest safe building, with interior stairwells or rooms with few windows providing additional protection from falling debris.
Recent Attacks and Impact
Early Tuesday, the US launched strikes on Iran after Trump said Washington was reinstating a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz. The US military's Central Command struck areas around Abu Musa, Bandar Abbas, Bushehr, Chahbahar, Jask, and Konarak, targeting Iranian coastal defense systems, missile and drone sites, and maritime capabilities. Iran acknowledged strikes but provided no immediate casualty or damage assessments.
The price of benchmark Brent crude oil rose to a one-month high of over $84 (£63) per barrel, threatening to increase costs globally. Trump called the strikes "another major attack," stating, "We're hitting them very hard. We're knocking out all of their offensive capability and we're controlling the straits." He also suggested the US would charge tolls for ships passing through the strait, a policy shift that could violate global norms on freedom of navigation.
The UAE Defence Ministry reported that Iran attacked two tankers, the Mombasa and Al Bahiyah, in the Strait of Hormuz, killing one mariner and wounding eight others. Iran's Revolutionary Guard claimed the vessels "ignored repeated warnings" and were "targeted and disabled." Bahrain also faced renewed attacks, sounding missile alert sirens three times, while Jordan's military intercepted four missiles from Iran.
The FCDO added: "Before the 8 April ceasefire, the Iranian regime had stated its intention to target locations in the Gulf associated with the US and Israel. Iran has previously targeted civilian infrastructure across the region such as ports, hotels, roads, bridges, energy facilities, oil production sites, water systems, and airports."
