Holidaymakers are being urged to reconsider their summer travel plans, with Britons cautioned to stay alert when visiting one sun-drenched destination.
Bahrain is now regarded as a higher than usual risk travel destination following a warning issued by both the UK Foreign Office and the US Embassy in Manama, Bahrain’s capital. Both the US and UK have published near-identical online alerts, urging tourists to stay on guard while in the Bahraini capital as there is “information to suggest that Iran may seek to target unspecified locations in central Manama”.
According to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO): “The US and Iran have announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in relation to the conflict in the Middle East. The situation remains unpredictable.
“Iran has carried out further attacks on Bahrain since the MOU was agreed, and could do so again at short notice. On 20 July, the US Embassy Manama issued an advisory that Iran may seek to target unspecified locations in central Manama. British nationals should remain vigilant and follow local authorities’ instructions.”
View 3 ImagesTourists are urged to stay on guard while in the Bahraini capital as there is “information to suggest that Iran may seek to target unspecified locations in central Manama”.(Image: simon2579/Getty)
Prior to the 8 April ceasefire between the US and Iran, the Islamic Republic had repeatedly targeted Gulf destinations with some form of connection to the US and/or Israel. This encompassed US or Israeli-linked organisations, businesses, facilities and institutions, reports the Express.
Iran has also previously targeted civilian infrastructure throughout the region. Ports, hotels, roads, bridges, energy facilities, oil production sites, water systems, and airports have all been struck by Iranian artillery, and all remain probable targets while the rogue Middle Eastern nation continues its conflict with Iran and Israel in the aftermath of the February 28 attacks.
February 28 marked the beginning of the ongoing Iran war, when the United States and Israel launched a joint coordinated assault on Iran and a number of its nuclear, military, and infrastructure sites. The 12-hour operation, which involved nearly 900 strikes in total, killed the nation’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and triggered retaliatory attacks by Iran across the Middle East.
The US and the UK are not the only Western nations to have strengthened their travel guidance for citizens heading to the Middle East.
View 3 ImagesMiddle Eastern destinations are being advised against (FILE IMAGE: Burj Al Arab in Dubai)(Image: Getty)
Australians have been urged to reconsider whether travel to Jordan, Oman and Saudi Arabia is necessary as tensions continue to mount across the Middle East, with the federal government Down Under describing the situation as “volatile”.
Within the last 24 hours, all three nations have had their advisory level upgraded to a level three warning, urging Australians to reconsider their need to travel. According to Australia’s Smartraveller website, tourists are cautioned to “stay as short a time as possible” if in transit.
Meanwhile, six nations remain at the highest alert level for Australians, all carrying an explicit ‘do not travel’ warning covering Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Yemen.
“We’ve reviewed our travel advice for Jordan, Oman and Saudi Arabia and have raised the overall travel advice,” a statement from Smartraveller reads.
“We now advise ‘reconsider your need to travel’ overall, due to the unpredictable security situation. Avoid non-essential travel to these locations. If you need to transit, stay as short a time as possible and avoid unnecessary activities.
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“Airspace may close at short notice. Flights can change or stop suddenly. Borders can close.”