Britons Stranded in Middle East Amid Missile Strikes as UK Plans Evacuation

March 03, 2026

Dozens of British travelers report being stranded in the Middle East and living in fear. Missile strikes linked to the growing conflict between Iran, Israel, and the United States continue to disrupt daily life and travel across the region.

Approximately 300,000 British nationals are thought to be in countries targeted by Iranian strikes, such as the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, according to government figures and media reports. More than 100,000 of them have registered with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) to get updates and assistance.

Large parts of airspace over the Gulf remain closed after ongoing Iranian missile and drone attacks on military and civilian sites. Major international hubs like Dubai International Airport, Abu Dhabi, and Doha have suspended flights and canceled many services, leaving thousands of travellers unable to leave.

British tourists in Doha and Dubai have shared distressing stories with reporters. Some have heard explosions and seen missile interceptions from their hotels. Many feel unsafe moving freely within the cities. One holidaymaker described how the trip changed “from an amazing experience into a nightmare.”

The UK government is working to assist its citizens amid the chaos. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said officials are "looking at all options" to help British nationals return home. They have sent rapid response teams to coordinate with local authorities and airlines. Plans are in place to use charter flights, including departures from Muscat, Oman, to evacuate vulnerable individuals once safe routes are available.

A few commercial flights have started leaving the region, with some from Abu Dhabi and Riyadh landing in the UK. Passengers on these flights reported chaotic conditions at airports after receiving little notice and warnings about missile threats during their journeys.

The conflict, which has escalated due to US and Israeli attacks on Iranian targets, has forced airlines like British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Emirates, and Qatar Airways to suspend many services in the Middle East. Analysts warn that closing key transport hubs could have long-lasting impacts on global travel.

British nationals in the affected area are urged to follow official travel advice, stay in touch with the FCDO, and keep an eye on local security updates. The situation is still unstable. Officials stress that the top priority is the safety of those caught in the crisis.