The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has issued an urgent safety alert for British nationals currently located in several Middle Eastern countries, advising them to immediately shelter in place and register their presence with the government for live updates on the rapidly escalating conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran.
Immediate Shelter-in-Place Orders Issued
In a dramatic escalation of tensions, British nationals in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Kuwait have been instructed to "immediately shelter in place" following missile launches across the region. The Foreign Office update specifically directs citizens to "remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities."
The crisis stems from what the US and Israel described as a "pre-emptive" strike against Iran's nuclear weapons program on Saturday morning, which prompted immediate retaliation from Tehran. Iranian missiles reportedly targeted Israel and various locations across the Middle East, including what Iran described as retaliation against US and Israeli strikes.
Registration Required for Critical Updates
The Foreign Office has established a registration system for British nationals in Bahrain, Israel, Palestine, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates to receive direct updates on the evolving situation. "British nationals in these countries can register their presence to receive direct updates from the FCDO on the situation in the Middle East," stated an official communication published on social media platform X.
The government emphasizes that citizens should continue to follow official travel advice and local authority instructions while taking "sensible precautions," including staying away from military facilities and ensuring travel documents remain current.
Major Airlines Suspend Regional Operations
In response to the escalating conflict and resulting airspace closures, multiple major airlines have cancelled flights to the region over the coming days. British Airways has suspended flights to Tel Aviv and Bahrain until at least March 3rd and cancelled Saturday's service to Amman, Jordan.
"We are closely monitoring the situation and have taken the operational decision to cancel our flights to Tel Aviv and Bahrain up to and including 03 March," confirmed a British Airways spokesperson. "Safety is always our top priority, and we're contacting our customers to advise them of their travel options."
Widespread Flight Disruptions Reported
Qatar Airways has temporarily suspended flights to and from its Doha hub due to the closure of Qatari airspace, while Virgin Atlantic has cancelled multiple services between London Heathrow and destinations including Dubai and Riyadh. "Due to the escalation of conflict in the Middle East, we have made the decision to temporarily avoid the airspace of Iraq," explained a Virgin Atlantic representative.
Wizz Air has confirmed the suspension of flights between London Luton and Tel Aviv until at least March 7th, stating the airline is "closely monitoring developments and remains in ongoing contact with local and international authorities."
UK Airports Advise Passengers to Check Flight Status
London Heathrow Airport reported that "a small number of flights at Heathrow have been cancelled or delayed" due to the situation, advising passengers to check directly with their airlines for the latest information. Gatwick Airport similarly warned of expected disruptions to Qatar and Emirates services, noting that "airspace restrictions have been introduced in parts of the region."
Flight-tracking data revealed several aircraft that departed from UK airports on Saturday returned to their points of origin, though British Airways clarified that one Heathrow-to-Doha flight that returned to London was due to a technical issue unrelated to the conflict.
The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice to recommend against all travel to Israel and Palestine, noting that "due to the threat posed by escalation in the region" and confirming that "Israeli airspace has now closed" following the joint US-Israeli military action in Iran that commenced on February 28th, 2026.
