The UK has temporarily withdrawn its remaining diplomatic staff from Iran and says its embassy will operate remotely amid a 12th night of US-led airstrikes. The FCDO warned British and dual nationals against travel, citing risks of detention. US forces say the strikes target threats to commercial shipping, while Iran has struck energy and desalination infrastructure in neighbouring Gulf states — actions that raise legal and humanitarian concerns.
UK Withdraws Remaining Diplomatic Staff From Iran As US Airstrikes Enter 12th Night
FILE PHOTO - A view of the skyline of Tehran, at dusk. (is associated with: «UK withdraws diplomatic staff from Iran as US airstrikes continue») Arne Immanuel Bänsch/dpa
The United Kingdom has temporarily withdrawn its remaining diplomatic staff from Iran as regional tensions escalate amid a 12th consecutive night of US-led airstrikes. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) said the embassy will continue to operate remotely while staff remain outside the country.
FCDO Warning and Remote Operations
The FCDO posted a notice saying: "Due to the security situation, UK staff have been temporarily withdrawn from Iran." It added that the embassy "continues to operate remotely" and strongly advised against all travel to Iran, warning that British and dual British–Iranian residents face a "significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention." The UK previously took a similar step in February ahead of earlier US and allied operations.
Military Developments
US Central Command said the latest round of strikes aimed to "further degrade Iran's ability to threaten civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting regional waters." Iranian state media reported missiles striking near the western cities of Ahvaz, Ramshir and Andimeshk.
The FCDO: "Our embassy continues to operate remotely."
Kuwait's armed forces posted on X that their air defences were "confronting attacks by hostile drones, following the sinful Iranian aggression." Earlier reported comments by then-US President Donald Trump warned that key infrastructure could be targeted in response to attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian official Seyed Abbas Araghchi — a senior foreign ministry figure — said Tehran would respond in kind to aggression and promised a "powerful and decisive response." He posted on X that any attack on Iran or its infrastructure would be met reciprocally.
Regional Impact And Legal Context
The previous night saw air-defence activity over Tehran. There were also reports of a missile attack on a Jordanian city and alert sirens in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Iran has reportedly targeted energy infrastructure and desalination plants that supply drinking water to neighbouring Gulf states. Attacks on civilian infrastructure such as water and power facilities can have severe humanitarian consequences and are generally prohibited under international law unless those facilities are being used for military purposes.
The situation remains fluid. The UK embassy's remote operations and the FCDO travel advisory underline continuing risks to foreign nationals and diplomatic personnel in the region.
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