The UK Foreign Office has issued guidance for Britons traveling to Cyprus – Iran appeared to fire two missiles towards the island, where the UK has military bases
The Foreign Office has issued travel advice for Britons after missiles were fired at British military bases.
Yesterday, US-Israeli strikes fell on Iran as part of ‘Operation Epic Fury’, killing the country’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei. Tehran wasted no time in launching a retaliatory strike, attacking Dubai, Kuwait and Bahrain with missiles targeting US air bases.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain had “no role in these attacks” but added that British planes “are in the air”. As the situation continues to evolve, Defense Secretary John Healey said the UK terror threat is “absolutely” under review due to concerns about Iranian retaliation.
Yesterday, two Iranian missiles appeared to be heading towards Cyprus, where two British military bases are located. The bases would be home to thousands of British personnel permanently assigned to the island.
Fortunately, the missiles failed to reach the island, instead landing in the eastern Mediterranean. The Foreign Office warns that there is still a risk in Cyprus and advises the British to take ‘sensible precautions’ in the country.
The latest advice reads: “There is an increased risk of regional tensions. Escalation could lead to travel disruptions and other unexpected consequences. British nationals should take sensible precautions taking into account their own individual circumstances.”
Precautions include reading government guidance on being affected by a crisis abroad, signing up for email alerts with travel advice from the FCDO, monitoring local and international news reports and signing up for other local information alerts and resources.
However, Defense Secretary John Healey said the British government does not believe the missiles were deliberately targeted at the bases. He said: “We do not believe they were aimed at Cyprus, but nevertheless it is an example of how there is a very real and growing threat from a regime that is lashing out broadly across the region.”
“It shows how our bases, personnel, military and civilians are currently at risk from a regime that is becoming increasingly indiscriminate, widespread and uncontrollable in the attacks it carries out,” Mr Healey added.
The Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), which continues to update its travel advice amid the escalating conflict, has also since advised against all travel to one of Cyprus’ neighbors, Turkey.
It advises against anyone traveling within 10 km of the border with Syria due to “fighting and an increased risk of terrorism”. It also advised “against all but essential travel” to Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE, saying Brits should “shelter in place” in the countries, as well as Palestine and Israel, and “register your presence” with the UK Foreign Office.
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