The United Kingdom has temporarily withdrawn its remaining diplomatic personnel from Iran as the conflict between the United States and Iran intensified into its 12th consecutive night.
In a statement published on its website, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said the decision was taken in response to the deteriorating security situation in the country.
“Due to the security situation, UK staff have been temporarily withdrawn from Iran. Our embassy continues to operate remotely,” the ministry stated.
The FCDO also reiterated its travel advisory, warning British nationals against all travel to Iran. It noted that British citizens, particularly dual British-Iranian nationals, face a significant risk of arrest, interrogation or detention.
Meanwhile, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said its latest overnight military strikes were aimed at weakening Iran’s ability to threaten civilian shipping and commercial vessels operating in regional waters.
According to Iranian state media, the strikes targeted areas near the western cities of Ahvaz, Ramshir and Andimeshk.
The conflict also spilled into neighbouring Kuwait, where the country’s military announced via X that its air defence systems had intercepted what it described as hostile drones following what it called “the sinful Iranian aggression.”
Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Iran would face severe retaliation if it targeted vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, declaring that the United States would destroy one Iranian bridge or power plant for every ship attacked in the strategic waterway.
Responding to the warning, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, said Tehran would respond in kind to any attack on its territory or infrastructure.
“Any aggression against Iran, including our infrastructure, will compel a powerful and decisive response,” Araghchi wrote in a post on X.
