UK advises against all travel to Israel after conflict with Iran escalates

In a post on its Farsi-language X account this morning,the Israel Defence Force (IDF) told Iranians near weapon factories or ‘their support facilities’ to ‘immediately leave these areas and not return until further notice’.

It said: ‘Your presence next to this infrastructure puts your life at risk.’

Sharing the message on its English-language account,the IDF added: ‘While Iran chooses to strike without warning,we choose to warn a innocent people even if it means giving up the element of surprise.’

A fire blazes in the oil depots of Shahran,northwest of Tehran,this morning (Picture: Atta Kenare/AFP)

Sir Keir Starmer said yesterday more RAF jets were being sent to the Middle East to provide ‘contingency support in the region’.

The Prime Minister spoke while travelling to Kananaskis in Alberta,Canada,where the meeting of G7 nations is due to begin later today.

Iran had previously warned that British,French and US military bases could come under attack if they provide support to Israel.

The places in Iran and Israel that have been targeted by strikes since Friday (Picture: Metro.co.uk)

In an appearance on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg this morning,Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the jets would ‘protect our personnel and bases’.

She added: ‘The message that the Prime Minister is taking to the G7 this week is to encourage calm heads and talks,and not further escalation of this conflict.’

An excavator works at the scene of a missile attack in Bat Yam,south of Tel Aviv,this morning (Picture: Reuters)

Reeves told Sky News the decision to deploy the jets ‘does not mean that we are at war’,describing it as ‘a precautionary move’.

Oil prices have surged since the two countries began exchanging missile fire,prompting concerns UK consumers may soon need to pay more for energy,fuel and groceries.

The Chancellor said there was ‘no complacency’ from the Treasury over the possibility,adding: ‘The concerns are around shipping routes,both for oil and gas exports,but also more widely because so much goods trade passes through the Middle East.’

Smoke from an oil refinery fills the air above the Iranian capital Tehran (Picture: Atta Kenare/AFP)

Posting on his Truth Social site,President Donald Trump distanced the US from Israel’s latest bombardment on Iran,saying his country had ‘nothing to do’ with it.

He wrote: ‘If we are attacked in any way,shape or form by Iran,the full strength and might of the U.S. Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before.

‘However,we can easily get a deal done between Iran and Israel,and end this bloody conflict!!!’

Also appearing on Laura Kuenssberg’s BBC show,chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall said it was important to remember the people of Gaza amid the conflict,saying the latest developments are an ‘absolute disaster’ for them.

The TV presenter pointed out a UN conference that was due to examine the recognition of Palestinian statehood was postponed in the wake of the attack on Iranian nuclear strikes.