British Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper said on Monday that the government is exploring all options, including possible evacuation measures, to assist hundreds of thousands of British nationals in the Gulf as regional tensions escalate due to attacks linked to Iran.
An estimated 300,000 UK citizens — including residents, holidaymakers, and travelers in transit — are currently in Gulf countries. Since hostilities began on Saturday, about 102,000 individuals have registered their presence with the British government.
When asked whether an evacuation was being planned, Cooper said authorities were developing support mechanisms. “We’re working on every possible option,” she told Sky News. “We have to recognize the scale of this situation, and the fact that strikes are still ongoing.”
For now, the Foreign Office is advising British nationals to follow local security guidance and shelter in place. Cooper said the government hopes airspace restrictions will be lifted as soon as conditions allow.
To assist travelers and coordinate with the tourism sector, rapid-deployment teams have been dispatched to the region. These teams are working with airlines and travel operators to address disruptions and provide assistance to affected passengers.
Cooper also confirmed that an unmanned Iranian drone struck the runway of a British Royal Air Force base at Akrotiri in Cyprus. She provided no additional details about the incident.
Global air travel has been severely affected following military exchanges in the Middle East. Major airports in the region, including those in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, temporarily suspended operations after strikes that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
The closures left tens of thousands of passengers stranded and forced airlines to reroute flights around affected airspace.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation and advise travelers to stay informed about flight updates and government safety guidance as tensions in the region remain high.