TOPSHOT – A blaze sweeps following Israeli bombardment on a solar farm and electricity generation facility in Lebanon’s southern coastal city of Tyre on March 4, 2026. Israeli forces on March 4 advanced into a number of towns and villages in south Lebanon, a source from the UN peacekeeping force in the country, UNIFIL, told AFP. (Photo by Kawnat HAJU / AFP via Getty Images) (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has revised travel guidance for 13 countries as the Middle East crisis continues to cause global disruption.
The US-Israeli conflict with Iran has sparked travel chaos. Flights transporting British nationals stranded in the Middle East due to the circumstances are due to land in the UK today.
The first Government charter flight and British Airways commercial service from Muscat were expected to reach Britain early on Thursday; however, a technical issue at the Omani airport prevented the initial chartered aircraft from taking off as planned.
With 138,000 British citizens in the Middle East registered with the UK Government, yet only around 1,000 have returned on commercial services since hostilities began, the FCDO faces a considerable challenge in coordinating safe travel and keeping Britons informed.
In addition to updating its country-specific travel advisory pages, the FCDO has created a new centralised portal for those in nations directly impacted by the conflict.
MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 3: The 200 students from across Italy, who were stranded in Dubai due to the US-Israeli attack on Iran that prompted Tehran’s subsequent military response, arrive at Milan Malpensa Airport in Milan, Italy, on March 3, 2026. (Photo by Andrea Carrubba/Anadolu via Getty Images) (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
The Foreign Office’s latest travel advice.
FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to Eastern Province and Riyadh Province. The FCDO continues to advise against all travel to within 10km of Saudi Arabia’s border with Yemen.
The FCDO now advises against all travel or all but essential travel to every part of Lebanon. It has revised its guidance on the conflict impacting Lebanon and expanded the geographical scope of areas where it advises against ‘all travel’.
The FCDO has taken the precautionary measure to temporarily withdraw some of its staff and their dependents from Bahrain. Its Embassy continues to operate.
Additional information has been added on the potential disruption during Nepal’s election on 5 March, including after polling day. Information on the potential impact on travel and visas due to escalation in the Middle East.
There is new information about travel disruption and updated information about visa requirements. For security reasons, the FCDO advises against all travel to the Russian-occupied regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
FCDO also advises against all but essential travel to areas immediately next to the administrative boundary lines with South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
The FCDO has updated travel advice for Malaysia with a general warning about global travel disruption in the Middle East. The FCDO still advises against all but essential travel to parts of Malaysia.
The FCDO has those in Oman who have had travel plans disrupted to register their interest in UK government flights from the country.
The FCDO has updated travel advice for Tajikistan with a general warning about global travel disruption in the Middle East.
A State of Emergency has been extended, a curfew has been imposed across four provinces, and the land border with Colombia will remain shut throughout the Colombian elections.
The FCDO has revised travel guidance for Dijibouti with a broader alert regarding worldwide travel disruption across the Middle East. The FCDO continues to advise against all travel to the Djibouti-Eritrea border.
The FCDO encourages British citizens in the nation to inform the UK government of their presence by registering whilst in Kuwait. There exists an elevated threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets.
Stay aware of your surroundings at all times. UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack.
Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism whilst abroad.
The FCDO has refreshed travel guidance for Thailand with a broader alert concerning worldwide travel disruption across the Middle East.
The FCDO has amended its guidance with details about Jordanian airspace, which has been impacted by the regional conflict. FCDO continues to advise against all but essential travel to Jordan, and all travel to within 3km of the border with Syria.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
