The UK government has updated its travel advice for 16 countries, warning travellers that conflict in the Middle East could disrupt travel.
The fresh warnings were distributed across the Foreign Office (FCDO) travel advice pages for countries in and around the Middle East on Tuesday, 27 October.
“The context in the Middle East remains deeply unpredictable and the risk of sudden escalation is high,” the FCDO statement reads.
“Since conflict began in early 2026, Iran has stated its intention to target locations associated with the US and Israel, including, but not limited to, organisations, businesses, facilities, and institutions.
“There have been strikes and retaliatory attacks by Iran and others across the region against civilian and US military infrastructure.
“British nationals in, or planning to travel through, the Middle East should be prepared for possible flight cancellations, airspace closures, and travel disruptions,” it said.
This travel warning was distributed to the advice pages for Oman, Qatar, the UAE, Pakistan, Syria, Yemen, Bahrain, Turkey, Kuwait, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Palestine and Saudi Arabia.
All the countries have their own separate travel warnings and advisories, which can be viewed on individual FCDO pages.
While the US has not carried out a strike against Iran since early September, the situation in the Middle East has become increasingly volatile after an escalation of strikes in Saudi Arabia by Iranian-supported Houthis, a military group in Yemen.
The FCDO page for Yemen says that “since July 2026, the Houthis have launched air strikes against Saudi territory and Saudi shipping vessels in the Red Sea.
“There is an ongoing risk of further military escalation, including in Yemen and the Red Sea, which could occur at short notice.”
The UK’s travel advice for Saudi Arabia also tells travellers of the deadly attack on King Khalid airport in Riyadh, which remains a risk of further attacks, adding that British nationals should consider leaving the country by land as an alternative to airports.
The FCDO advice on all the updated country pages, excluding Egypt and Pakistan, also states that travellers should read its crisis abroad page and sign up to travel advice email alerts.
People should also follow advice from the local authorities and monitor local and international media for the latest information, including updates relating to airports and airspace which could close at short notice.
The FCDO advice adds that people should stay away from areas around security or military facilities, keep departure plans under review, and ensure travel documents are up to date.
If advised to take shelter, British nationals should stay indoors or find the nearest safe building or designated shelter.
Pakistan’s page adds that global supply routes could affect the country’s fuel availability and pricing, which may lead to transport disruption and delays, in some areas. It adds there is an ongoing risk of terrorism.
Alongside following local authority advice, monitoring local and international media, and being prepared to take shelter, the FCDO says people should continue to “be careful around protests, demonstrations, rallies, security checkpoints, tourist sites, and religious gatherings and sites, particularly in urban areas across Pakistan”.
