UK Issues Travel Alert for 18 Middle East and North African Countries Amid Israel-Iran Tensions

The United Kingdom has updated its alert level for travel abroad. The Foreign Office (UK Foreign Office) has advised British vacationers and tourists traveling to 18 countries, namely: Morocco, Cyprus, Turkey, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, the occupied Palestinian territories, Israel, Libya, Iran, Lebanon and Syria, to be cautious. This new alert is motivated by the serious developments in the tensions between the Hebrew state and Iran. The Foreign Office warns travelers of the risk of regional escalation of violence.

"The ongoing hostilities in the region and between Israel and Lebanon could escalate rapidly and pose risks across the region, warns the Foreign Office. On October 1, Iran launched about 200 ballistic missiles at Israel. On October 26, Israel carried out a military action against Iran." It invites British vacationers and tourists to follow travel advice and other media, "as the situation is evolving rapidly." "Follow and contact the FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, ed.) travel service on X, Facebook and Instagram. You can also receive email notifications when these travel advice is updated. Read FCDO advice if you are affected by a crisis abroad," he added.

Furthermore, the Foreign Office warns the British who do not follow the FCDO recommendations: "Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against the advice of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)."