UK Government charters plane to bring British nationals home from war-hit Middle East, Foreign Office confirms

The UK Government has chartered a plane to bring British nationals home from the war-hit Middle East. The Foreign Office said the flight will depart Muscat, the capital of Oman, at 7pm and is available for British nationals, their partners and children under 18 with a valid travel document.

The move comes as Sir Keir Starmer is set to face questions in the Commons over his decisions on the unfolding Iran conflict - with fresh criticism from US President Donald Trump ringing in his ears. Mr Trump, on Tuesday, said Sir Keir was “not Winston Churchill” after the PM initially refused permission for American planes to launch their initial strikes against Tehran from British bases, as speculation over the legality of the action continued.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister announced Britain would send HMS Dragon, one of the Royal Navy’s six Type 45 air defence destroyers, to defend Cyprus after RAF Akrotiri was hit by a drone.

Now, eyes are turning to helping Brits who wish to leave the Middle East to do so, with officials in Oman saying priority for the evacuation flight will be given to the most vulnerable and that they will contact British nationals in Oman. Anyone who registered their presence in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and are now in Oman is asked to register for a place on a flight.

The department asked people not to travel to Muscat International Airport unless they are contacted by officials, while dependents who are not British nationals will require a valid visa or permission to enter or remain granted for more than three months.

Some 130,000 Britons have registered their presence in the Middle East, as the Foreign Office said it was working with airlines on more routes.

It comes as the war between Iran and the US and Israel enters its fifth day, with the conflict likely to dominate the agenda when Sir Keir attends Prime Minister’s Questions at noon. Opposition MPs will likely focus on Mr Trump, who said he is “not happy” with the UK after the refusal of permission to use UK-controlled bases.

“This is not Winston Churchill that we’re dealing with,” Mr Trump said when speaking to the press in the Oval Office on Tuesday. Downing Street has insisted the US remains a “staunch” ally despite the repeated broadsides from Mr Trump.

Sir Keir decided on Sunday that UK bases, including the joint UK-US Diego Garcia site in the Chagos Islands and RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, could be used in the conflict, but only so the US can strike defensively to protect countries being targeted by Tehran.

HMS Dragon is being readied to depart for the Mediterranean and will be accompanied by two Wildcat helicopters equipped with so-called “drone busting” Martlet missiles, so it can protect Britain’s bases in Cyprus. The warship was pictured on Tuesday night at the Upper Harbour Ammunition Facility (UHAF) in Portsmouth harbour.

Elsewhere, the Foreign Office updated its travel advice for Thailand early on Wednesday “due to the escalation in the Middle East”, saying: “Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights. Your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East.”

Affected British nationals are urged to stay across the latest updates from their airline or tour operator and review their travel insurance policies before travelling.

And the UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre (UKMTO) said a vessel had been struck by a projectile off the coast of Fujairah in the UAE. It said: “UKMTO has received a report of an incident 7NM east of Fujairah, United Arab Emirates.

“The Master reported the vessel being struck by an unknown projectile causing damage to the steel plating. There has been no fire or water intake. All crew reported safe. Authorities are investigating. Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO.”