Foreign Office revises travel advice for Middle East nations as hostilities resume

Foreign Office travel advice for Bahrain and Kuwait has been revised following renewed military strikes between the US and Iran.

US assets in Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar were reportedly targeted followed by Kuwait, Jordan and Iraq in response to the US hitting 90 military targets in Iran.

US Central Command (Centcom) said the most recent round of strikes was carried out to "further degrade Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping and innocent civilian mariners" in the Strait of Hormuz.

In a statement, it said it had struck 90 Iranian military targets, which included air defence systems and military logistics infrastructure along Iran’s coastline.

"The latest strikes follow successful execution of offensive strikes in Iran the night before," Centcom added.

The resumption of action despite a ceasefire announced on April 8 and an subsequent memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the US and Iran.

However, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) updated its travel advice for Bahrain and Kuwait on Thursday, saying that the situation “remains unpredictable”.

Iran carried out further attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain since the MOU was agreed, and could do so again at short notice, the FCDO warned.

Travellers transiting through Kuwait were urged to check with their airline first and follow local guidance.

“Kuwait International Airport is currently operating through Terminals 4 and 5, serving Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airways, while Terminal 1 remains closed. Flight

schedules are reduced,” the FCDO noted.

“Before the 8 April ceasefire, the Iranian regime had stated its intention to target locations in the Gulf associated with the US and Israel. 

"This included US-linked organisations, businesses, facilities and institutions. Iran has previously targeted civilian infrastructure across the region such as ports, hotels, roads, bridges, energy facilities, oil production sites, water systems, and airports.”