Channel Islanders in the Middle East told to follow local warnings

Monday, 2 March 2026 09:00

As many as 94,000 British nationals either live or on holiday in places like Dubai which has been hit by Iranian missiles.

The advice from the States of Guernsey and Government of Jersey issued over the weekend is for islanders who have friends or relatives living or visiting the wider Middle East.

It says people should follow any recommendations issued by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office and to heed the local authorities and stay inside if possible.

Guernsey Finance, the industry's promotional agency, has one representative in the region.

Iranian missiles have been fired at several places in the Gulf including Dubai, and airports and airspace is closed to commercial flying.

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has this advice for Britain's caught up in the conflict:

"Follow the local advice, which in most places is around sheltering.

"We are sending out rapid deployment teams, we want people to get safely home as quickly as possible."

Hostilities began on Saturday with joint US and American strikes on Tehran, which topped its leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in his fortified headquarters.

The aim is to stop Iran enriching weapons grade uranium, which it denies it is doing, and to topple its regime.

This has been held responsible for the deaths of potentially thousands of protestors who took to the streets to complain about the failing economy.