The UK government has revised its travel advice for 18 countries in response to escalating tensions following recent Israeli military airstrikes on Iran. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) issued a warning on October 26, urging travelers to reconsider their plans for several popular destinations.

Among the countries listed in the notice are Cyprus, Turkey, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, the territories occupied Palestinians, Israel, Libya, Iran, Lebanon and Syria. The FCDO has warned that ongoing hostilities in the region could quickly escalate, posing significant risks for travellers.

The notice highlighted a particular concern regarding travel insurance, stating: “Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against the advice of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.” Recent developments, including Iran’s launch of approximately 200 ballistic missiles at Israel on October 1 and Israeli military actions against Iran on October 26, have contributed to this precarious situation.

Travelers are encouraged to stay informed of evolving circumstances and are advised to monitor updates from the FCDO via social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. The notice also states that individuals can sign up to receive email notifications for any updates on travel advisories, highlighting the importance of staying informed during crises abroad.

In addition to the regional alert, a separate advisory was issued for Turkey following an October 23 terrorist attack on Turkish aerospace industries facilities in Kahramankazan, which left five people dead and 22 injured. People in the vicinity of the incident are advised to heed local authorities and stay informed via local media. Heightened security measures have been implemented at Turkish airports, leading to longer wait times at security checks.