London: The British Government today advised the UK nationals to avoid travelling to Iraq and Iran in the wake of heightened tensions in West Asia following the US killing of a top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad.
In a statement, Britain’s Foreign Office said, “Following the death of Qasem Soleimani and heightened tensions in the region… We now advise British nationals against all travel to Iraq (and) we now advise against all but essential travel to Iran”.
The first job of any government is to keep British people safe, the statement said.
However, the advisory made an exception to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, asking its citizens to consider carefully whether it’s essential to travel to Iran.
The British Foreign Office also urged UK nationals in the region to remain vigilant and monitor the media carefully.
Meanwhile, British Foreign Minister Dominic Raab has urged all parties to de-escalate saying conflict is in interest of none.
Notably, the US military on Friday killed Soleimani in an air strike outside Baghdad international airport that shocked the Islamic republic and sparked fears of a new war in the Middle East.