On March 4, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) updated its travel advice for the United Arab Emirates, including popular destinations such as Dubai. The new guidance highlights limited commercial travel options from the UAE and Oman and advises British travelers to consider departing if their presence is not essential.
The FCDO emphasized the importance of verifying details with airlines or tour operators before heading to the airport. Travelers are urged to follow local authority instructions and check the status of border crossings prior to making any plans.
Those traveling by air should avoid going to the airport unless their flight reservation has been confirmed. The FCDO also recommended carrying emergency supplies and essential medication, noting that travel within or out of the UAE carries risks.
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Additionally, travelers should keep their departure plans flexible and ensure all travel documents, including visas for onward journeys, are valid and up to date.
This travel advisory coincides with escalating tensions in the Middle East. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards announced control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil and gas shipping route, warning that vessels passing through face risks of missile or drone attacks. Mohammad Akbarzadeh, a Guards Navy official, stated the Islamic Republic’s Navy now fully controls the strait.
However, US Central Command Admiral Brad Cooper refuted Iran’s claims, asserting that the US military has neutralized all Iranian naval activity in the Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman, including the destruction of 17 Iranian ships. The situation underscores ongoing instability in the region, prompting the Foreign Office’s cautious travel update.