Foreign Office warns Brits at ‘vital danger’ in up to date Middle East journey recommendation
“Having a British passport or connections to the UK can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to detain you,” the Foreign Office warned on Wednesday as it withdrew diplomatic staff from the country
Iranian police in recent Tehran clampdown(Image: Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto/Shutterstock)
Britain has withdrawn its remaining diplomatic staff from Iran as tensions continue to rise in the Middle East. The UK embassy continues to operate remotely.
The UK’s Foreign Office (FCDO) said in a statement on Wednesday, July 22: “Due to the security situation, UK staff have been temporarily withdrawn from Iran.”
The FCDO has also advised against all travel to Iran, warning Brits that they are as significant risk in the country.
A missile being launched from an undisclosed location towards US targets in Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain(Image: SEPAHNEWS.COM/AFP via Getty Images)
“If you are a British national already in Iran, either resident or visitor, carefully consider your presence there and the risks you take by staying,” the statement continued.
“British and British-Iranian dual nationals are at significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention. Having a British passport or connections to the UK can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to detain you.”
A similar move was made in February ahead of joint US-Israeli strikes on several key Iranian sites. Iran retaliated by striking sites across the region and closing the Strait of Hormuz waterway.
Smoke billows from Iranian attack on Kuwait(Image: UGC/UNKNOWN/AFP via Getty Images)
Last month, the US and Iran signed a Memorandum of Understanding to bring the war to a close within 60 days.
The aim was to bring the war to an end, restore international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and settle an ongoing dispute over Tehran’s nuclear programme.
But both sides have failed to achieve lasting peace, with attacks resuming this month.
Also on Wednesday, the US and Saudi Arabia signed a deal that will reportedly allow the kingdom to develop a civilian nuclear programme.
It is understood that the deal could allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium in the future, which may allow for fuel for power plants and to make nuclear bombs.
US President Donald Trump has long said his country’s war in Iran is to prevent the Middle Eastern nation from developing such weapons.
