Advice has been issued across the Middle East and Europe affected by the ongoing conflict in Iran.
Flights across the world have been affected by the war in Iran (Image: Getty)
Governments have issued stark advice to citizens and staff across the Middle East and Europe as the war with Iran brings more chaos. Rare “depart now” advisories have been sent out for embassies and for travellers as the ongoing war affects border crossings, airspace and flight schedules.
The Foreign Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel to the United Arab Emirates, the nation where Dubai is based, and states that regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption in Cyprus. A US State Department edict advised citizens and all non-emergency staff to “depart now” from 16 Middle Eastern countries, including Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the occupied West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the UAE, and Yemen.
A similar notice was also issued for the US consulate in Adana, Turkey, where all consular services are suspended.
War with Iran has hit global flight schedules hard (Image: Getty)
Overnight, Iran and the United States hardened their positions as a diplomatic push for a ceasefire appeared to falter.
The Iranian regime in Tehran was seeking to formalise its control over the crucial oil tanker route, the Strait of Hormuz, while Washington prepared for the arrival of US troops in the region that could be used on the ground in an assault against the Islamic Republic.
Sirens over Israel warned of barrages of incoming Iranian missiles and in the United Arab Emirates, two people were reported killed and three were wounded by falling shrapnel from a missile interception over Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
Industry experts said Iran is implementing a “de facto ‘toll booth’ regime,” with some ships paying in Chinese yuan to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, where 20% of all traded oil and natural gas is transported in peacetime.
Missiles and drones have been blotting the sky across the Middle East (Image: Getty)
Meanwhile, an American strike group, anchored by the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli, drew closer to the Middle East, with some 2,500 Marines on board.
Also, at least 1,000 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne have been ordered to the region.
US Navy Admiral Brad Cooper, who commands the American military in the region, said his forces have hit more than 10,000 targets in Iran since Israel and the US started the war on February 28.
The US has claimed to have destroyed 92% of Iran’s largest ships and more than two-thirds of the country’s missile, drone and naval production facilities.