Conflict has raged in the Middle East Saturday, February 28, when Israel and the US carried out joint strikes on several key Iranian sites and Iran retaliated, plunging the region into war
The United Kingdom said it will will charter a flight for British nationals wanting to leave Oman in a bid to evacuate citizens caught within the Middle East conflict.
The Foreign Office said the flight will depart the country’s capital, Muscat, on Wednesday, March 4 at 7pm – the fifth day of the conflict. It is available for British nationals, partners and children under 18 with a valid travel document.
The Middle East has been in conflict since Saturday, February 28, when Israel and the US carried out joint strikes on several key Iranian sites.
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Iran’s supreme leader at the time, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in the strikes over the weekend and Iran has responded with by hitting key sites across the Middle East including Oman, causing widespread panic across the region.
Hundreds have died in the conflict.
The UK Foreign Office said the most vulnerable will be prioritized and British nationals will be contacted in Oman, the Press Association reported.
Some 130,000 Britons have registered their presence in the Middle East, as the Foreign Office said it was working with airlines on more routes.
Anyone who registered their presence in the United Arab Emirates and are now in Oman is asked to register for a place on a flight.
Brits have been told not to travel to Muscat International Airport unless contacted by officials.
Dependents who are not British nationals will require a valid visa or permission to enter or remain granted for more than three months.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said Britain would send HMS Dragon, one of the Royal Navy’s six Type 45 air defence destroyers, to defend bases in Cyprus.
The Ministry of Defence, in the early hours of Monday, March 2, confirmed the suspected drone strike at RAF Akrotiri. The ministry said the strike occurred at midnight local time. No casualties were been reported at the base near Limassol.
HMS Dragon is being readied to depart for the Mediterranean and will be accompanied by two Wildcat helicopters equipped with so-called “drone busting” Martlet missiles, so it can protect Britain’s bases in Cyprus.
Also on Wednesday, Sir Starmer will enter the Commons for Prime Minister’s Questions, which will likely be dominated by the conflict.
He decided on Sunday that UK bases could be used in the conflict, but only so the US can strike defensively to protect countries being targeted by Tehran.
US President Trump has said he is “not happy” with the UK after it did not initially allow the US to use its bases for strikes on Iran.
Mr Trump later said: “This is not Winston Churchill that we’re dealing with.”
Downing Street has insisted the US remains a “staunch” ally.
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