The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued new travel advice for 14 countries, including Turkey, Cyprus and the UAE, amid regional tensions
Major travel updates have been issued by the Foreign Office for 14 countries following the disclosure of a “memorandum of understanding” between the US and Iran.
The Foreign Office has now lifted its travel ban to destinations such as the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, while also providing further updates for 12 other nations.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) released new guidance on Thursday (June 18), for the 14 countries due to “regional tensions”.
In the Foreign Office’s “warnings and insurance” section for each country, they confirmed: “The US and Iran have announced a memorandum of understanding in relation to the conflict in the Middle East.”
The full list of countries receiving the updated guidance includes: Cyprus, Turkey, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Jordan, Yemen, Syria, Palestine, Israel, Iran and Kuwait, according to the Express. While the FCDO has cautioned about regional tensions, it “no longer advises against all but essential travel to the UAE”.
Since March, there had been a warning against all but essential travel to the UAE, but with today’s update (June 18), it’s the first time this has been rescinded, reports the Mirror. The crisis was triggered on February 28 when the US and Israel launched coordinated military attacks against Iran.
Iran and allied regional proxy groups then responded with retaliatory drone and missile strikes, targeting locations around the Gulf linked to Western or Israeli interests. The sudden travel reversal in advice comes after Washington and Tehran signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at ending the standoff.
The announced terms include an immediate ceasefire across the region, the lifting of US economic sanctions against Iran, and the reopening of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. The agreement also includes a £224 billion international reconstruction fund for Iran.
However peace talks between the two nations were suddenly axed overnight. JD Vance pulled out of his trip to Switzerland where he was due to lead the US delegation in their search for a lasting truce.
In additional guidance, the FCDO outlined that should “hostilities resume”, Brits should take the following steps:
- Read if you’re affected by a crisis abroad – GOV.UK. This includes guidance on “how to prepare for a crisis” with suggestions on what you might include in your emergency supplies and “what to do in a crisis”
- Sign up to FCDO Travel Advice email alerts
- Monitor local and international media for the latest information
- Sign up to local information alerts/resources and follow the instructions of the local authorities
- Keep your departure plans under review, and ensure your travel documents are up to date.
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