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The Foreign Office has issued travel advice to Brits in the holiday destination of Cyprus, where Iranian missiles were fired in the direction of on Saturday.
Britain's defence secretary confirmed this morning that two missiles from Iran were fired near the country, where military bases are located. However, the missiles are believed to have fallen short of Cyprus and landed in the water. The FCDO advises that there is a "heightened risk of regional tension" in the country.
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11 mins ago12:01 Sarah Barltrop
Keir Starmer's stance on Iran conflict
Keir Starmer confirmed yesterday that British planes were "in the sky" after the strikes on Iran.
"Our forces are active and British planes are in the sky today as part of coordinated regional defensive operations to protect our people, our interests, and our allies - as Britain has done before, in line with international law.
"We’ve stepped up protections for British bases and personnel to their highest level.
"We are also reaching out to UK nationals in the region and doing everything we can to support them."
He confirmed the United Kingdom played no role in these strikes.
Shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel said she "absolutely" welcomed the actions of the US and Israel in Iran, but questioned why Prime Minister Keir Starmer wasn't more "proactive" in the run-up to the strikes.
She asked why UK military bases in the region weren't used.
(Image: Getty)
17 mins ago11:55 Sarah Barltrop
Updated travel advice for Turkey
The FCDO has advised against all travel to parts of one of Cyprus's neighbouring countries, Turkey.
It advises against all travel to within 10km of the border with Syria due to "fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism".
It advised travellers in the country to follow precautions, including:
Monitoring local and international media for the latest information Staying away from areas around security or military facilities Keeping departure plans under review, and ensuring travel documents are up to date
It said if you are advised to take shelter, stay indoors or find the nearest safe building or designated shelter.
"An interior stairwell or a room with as few external walls or windows as possible may provide additional protection," it added.
It warned travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against its advice.
While 24-hour consular assistance is available by phone or online, in-person consular support is severely limited in areas where the FCDO advises against travel.
(Image: Getty)
27 mins ago11:45 Sarah Barltrop
What we know so far about the strikes near Cyprus
British Defense Minister John Healey told the BBC that Cyprus may not have "necessarily" been the intended target.
However, The Jerusalem Post reported that a source confirmed the missiles were in fact intended to reach Cyprus, but fell short and landed in the water.
Talking about the Iran strikes over the last 24 hours, Mr Healey said: "It demonstrates how our bases, our personnel, military and civilians at the moment are at risk with a regime that is increasingly indiscriminate, widespread and uncontrollable in the attacks it's mounting."
Thousands of British military personnel, also known as the British Forces Cyprus, are stationed at the UK Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia on Cyprus.
He noted that 300 British troops had been stationed near the US military base in Bahrain, which was struck on Saturday, with some of the soldiers being "several hundred yards away."
(Image: Getty)
32 mins ago11:40 Sarah Barltrop
Countries on 'no travel' list
The FCDO has advised against all but essential travel to the UAE and Quatar in the last 24 hours after Iran missile strikes.
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41 mins ago11:31 Sarah Barltrop
Missiles fired at Cyrus
Britain's defence secretary has confirmed that two missiles from Iran were fired in the direction of Cyprus this morning, where military bases are located.
John Healey said "we are pretty sure they [Iran's missiles] weren’t targeted at our bases", but he added that “it shows how indiscriminate” the Iranian retaliation is.
43 mins ago11:29 Sarah Barltrop
Foreign Office advice for Cyprus
The Foreign Office states that there is a risk in Cyprus.
Its latest advice states: "There is a heightened risk of regional tension. Escalation could lead to travel disruption and other unanticipated impacts.
"British nationals should take sensible precautions, considering their own individual circumstances"
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