More than 100,000 British nationals stranded across the Middle East have registered with the UK Foreign Office as ministers prepare contingency plans for what could

become one of the largest peacetime evacuations in recent history.

The move follows widespread airspace closures after coordinated US-Israeli strikes on Iran triggered retaliatory missile and drone attacks across the Gulf. Major travel hubs including Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi and Kuwait have been hit by disruptions, grounding flights and leaving tens of thousands of Britons unable to leave the region.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said around 300,000 British citizens live in Gulf countries now affected by the conflict, with roughly 94,000 already registering their details under the government’s “register your presence” scheme. The UK is advising nationals to shelter in place and follow local guidance while officials explore “every possible option” to get people home safely.

Senior figures in UK Government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, are reportedly considering land evacuations via Saudi Arabia should airspace remain closed for an extended period.

Airlines including Emirates and Qatar Airways have suspended services, while thousands of flights worldwide have been cancelled or delayed, marking one of the biggest travel disruptions since the pandemic. Airports across the Gulf remain on high alert after strikes near civilian and tourist areas.

The Foreign Office has advised against all travel to large parts of the Middle East and urged Britons already in the region to stay indoors, avoid military or security sites, and keep travel documents ready. Officials stress that evacuation plans will only be activated if conditions worsen further, but acknowledge the scale of the operation would be unprecedented. Photo by Ahmed, Wikimedia commons.