The Foreign Office has urged Brits against all but essential travel to several countries as the war between Iran, Israel and the US enters its 13th day. The conflict, which escalated on February 28, has upended trade routes, choked fuel supplies and fertiliser coming out of the Gulf, and threatened air traffic in one of the world’s most-travelled regions. The Foreign Office (FCDO) is closely monitoring the situation and updating its travel advice accordingly, with several previously “safe” destinations moved into the restricted category, including popular destinations for British tourists.

Retaliatory strikes from Iran have seen the conflict spread across the Gulf, targeting US assets in countries including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to which the FCDO has advised against “all but essential” travel. British nationals have also been warned against all travel to Israel, parts of Lebanon and parts of Egypt, and alerted to “significant security risks” in Cyprus after a suspected drone attack on an RAF base.

In its most recent update to travel advice on Tuesday, March 10, the FCDO warned against all travel within 20km of the Egypt-Libya border, in North Sinai, the northern part of South Sinai, eastern Ismailiyah, parts of the Western Desert and the Hala’ib Triangle and Bir Tawil Trapezoid.

Egypt, which is a popular destination for holidaymakers looking to catch some late winter sun, has also been impacted by regional tensions due to its position in northern Africa, bordering Israel.

The Foreign Office outlined a “heightened risk of regional tension” and “escalation that could lead to travel disruption and other unanticipated impacts”.

It added: “British nationals should take sensible precautions, considering their own individual circumstances.”

In the FCDO’s latest update on travel to the UAE, it confirmed the temporary withdrawal of the dependants of British Embassy staff as a precautionary measure following Iranian drone strikes.

It also warned of “regional escalation” posing “significant security risks and travel disruption” and urged Brits in the vicinity to “stay away from areas around security or military facilities”.

The advice continued: “Follow the instructions of the local authorities and monitor local and international media for the latest information.

“If local authorities advise you to take shelter, stay indoors or move to the nearest safe building immediately. The greatest risk is from falling debris caused by intercepts, and you are safest inside a secure structure. Choose an interior stairwell or a room with as few external walls or windows as possible for additional protection.

“Limit your movements to essential journeys only. When travel is unavoidable, aim to move during daylight hours and avoid crowded venues. Always let friends or family know where you are and when you are travelling, and keep your mobile phone with you and charged.

“If you are away from your home or hotel, and an attack occurs or you receive an alert from the official UAE warning system, seek shelter in the closest building immediately.”

While the FCDO has not issued a warning against travel to Cyprus, it updated its advice to British nationals on March 5 following a suspected drone strike at RAF Akrotiri three days earlier.

“British nationals in the Republic of Cyprus should follow any instructions from Cypriot local authorities,” it reads.

“Regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption. British nationals should sign up to FCDO travel advice email alerts and monitor local and international media for the latest information.

“[They should also] sign up to local information alerts/resources and follow the instructions of local authorities [as well as] keeping departure plans under review and ensuring travel documents are up to date.”

The FCDO’s latest travel advice for Lebanon, issued on March 8, advised against all travel to parts of the Middle Eastern country and confirmed that some Embassy staff and their dependants had been withdrawn as a precautionary measure.

It read: “Since March 2, conflict in Lebanon has escalated in response to regional events. Airstrikes and rocket attacks between Israel and Lebanese Hizballah have increased. Widespread evacuation warnings have led to mass movement of people from conflict-affected areas.

“On March 4, the Israel Defense League (IDF) instructed people to leave all areas south of the Litani River. On March 5, they instructed everyoen to leave a large area encompassing Beirut’s southern suburbs.

“Israeli airstrikes have occurred primarily in areas south of the Litani River, Beirut’s southern suburbs and Baalbek-Hermel Governorate. The IDF regularly releases evacuation warnings before airstrikes, but many have taken place with no advance notice. The dynamic nature of the conflict means airstrikes have also taken place outside these areas. British nationals should follow local, international and social media to keep up to date with official alerts.

“We advise you to keep up to date with the latest situation including using multiple media sources to understand frequency and location of strikes as these may change rapidly.”

The FCDO has advised British nationals against all travel to Israel as the conflict in Gaza and the wider Middle East continues to rage.

It also said some staff and dependants had temporary been moved from the Tel Aviv Embassy to elsewhere in Israel and warned travellers of the potential for rapid escalation and significant risks.

“Regional tensions may cause international borders, air and land, to close,” the advice read. “There is a risk of rocket and drone attacks throughout Israel. There is a risk of shrapnel from intercepted missiles falling across Israel and Palestine, and possible disruption at Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv.

“Travel within Israel at your own risk. You are encouraged to follow the advice of local authorities, for example on which routes are open or when to take shelter.”