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Foreign office advises against all travel to country after several die in airstrikes
Foreign office advises against all travel to country after several die in airstrikes
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has issued new advice on the 'fast-moving situation that poses significant risks'
The warning covers all of Israel and the Palestinian Territories
(Image: Tom Burnett/Reach Plc )
The UK Foreign Office is advising against all travel to Israel amidst ongoing conflict with Iran. Israel continues to launch strikes against Iran, marking the third day of fighting, with Iran retaliating by launching missile strikes that have hit Tel Aviv and other regions.
Israeli airspace remains closed for the time being. In a recent update, the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office stated: "Iran has launched multiple rounds of missile and drone attacks against Israel. On 13 June a nationwide state of emergency was declared in Israel. This followed Israeli strikes against nuclear and military facilities in Iran. Israeli airspace remains closed.
"We recognise this is a fast-moving situation that poses significant risks. The situation has the potential to deteriorate further, quickly and without warning. The current situation has disrupted air links out of the country and may disrupt road links. We encourage you to read the FCDO's advice on if you're affected by a crisis abroad." For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
"Check Home Front Command for the latest guidance (available in Israel only) and follow instructions from the Israeli government. Restrictions may be put in place at short notice. Should you be in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and not have access to Home Front Command continue to follow local instructions including from Palestinian Civil Defence (Call 102, or see or Facebook)."
The Foreign Office has issued new guidance for travellers to Israel, warning of potential hazards caused by missile fragments noting: "The interception of missiles over Israel and the OPTs may result in falling fragments or debris. If you encounter any projectile debris or fragments you should move away from them immediately and contact local authorities."
This updated travel advice also applies to the West Bank and Gaza Strip, where there have been ongoing clashes between Israel and Hamas since the militant group's attack on October 7, 2023. The Foreign Office already cautions against non-essential travel to Iran due to the significant risk of arrest, questioning, or detention for British and British-Iranian dual nationals.
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The FCDO already advises against all but essential travel to Iran, as it says 'British and British-Iranian dual nationals are at significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention'.
Israel has unleashed air strikes across Iran for a third day and threatened even greater force as some Iranian missiles evaded Israeli air defences to strike buildings in the heart of the country.
Planned talks on Iran's nuclear programme, which could provide an off-ramp, were called off.
The region braced for a protracted conflict after Israel's surprise bombardment of Iran's nuclear and military sites on Friday killed several top generals and nuclear scientists, and neither side showed any sign of backing down.
The Israeli military has warned Iranians to evacuate arms factories, indicating a possible expansion of the campaign. Explosions were heard once again around noon in Tehran, as tensions continue to escalate.
US President Donald Trump has thrown his full support behind Israel's actions and issued a stern warning to Iran that it must agree to a new nuclear deal to avoid further destruction.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded on Sunday, stating that if Israeli strikes on Iran cease: "our responses will also stop".
He also held the United States accountable, noting: "is a partner in these attacks and must take responsibility."
Despite new blasts reverberating through Tehran and reports of other explosions across Iran early on Sunday, there has been no update since Iran's UN ambassador reported 78 fatalities and over 320 injuries the previous day.
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Meanwhile, Israel's Magen David Adom rescue service reported at least 10 fatalities from Iranian strikes overnight into Sunday, raising Israel's death toll to 13.
