Authorities have issued an ‘all but essential’ travel warning to Brits in the Middle East amid the continuing Iran conflict. The guidance from the Foreign Office (FCDO) applies to the UAE. Iran continues to launch retaliatory drone and missile attacks on targets in surrounding nations across the region. Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest airport, was briefly shut on Monday following a drone strike on a nearby fuel depot, while authorities in the country reported that a Pakistani citizen was killed by missile fragments in Abu Dhabi.

The FCDO is recommending against all but essential travel to the UAE, which hosts a substantial British expatriate population, during the intense conflict, which has now entered its third week. Concerning the ‘shelter in place’ warning for the UAE, the FCDO states on its website: “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.”

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign Office (FCDO). Similar advice is also in place for nations such as Bahrain and Qatar, where the FCDO also advises against all but essential travel.

An FCDO spokesperson said: “Even though much larger numbers of commercial flights are now becoming available, this remains an extremely difficult and stressful time for British holidaymakers, transit passengers, businesspeople and ex-pats in the region who are still experiencing serious travel disruption and delays.

“We continue to keep our travel advice up to date to reflect the latest situation on the ground in each country. British nationals in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Palestine, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates should continue to register their presence to receive direct updates and advice from the FCDO.”