London: The United Kingdom has withdrawn its remaining diplomatic staff from Iran as tensions continue to rise with ongoing US airstrikes marking the 12th consecutive night of conflict. This development was reported by PA Media/dpa, highlighting the increasing volatility in the region.
According to Nam News Network, a statement from the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) confirmed the temporary withdrawal of UK staff due to the deteriorating security situation. The statement added that the UK embassy in Iran will continue its operations remotely. The FCDO has issued a strong advisory against all travel to Iran, emphasizing the significant risks faced by British nationals and dual British-Iranian nationals, including possible arrest, questioning, or detention.
In a similar precautionary measure, UK diplomatic staff were previously withdrawn in February before the onset of US and Israeli military operations in the region. The US Central Command announced that the ongoing airstrikes aim to "further degrade Iran's ability to threaten civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting regional waters." Recent missile strikes have reportedly occurred near the Iranian cities of Ahvaz, Ramshir, and Andimeshk, according to Iranian state media.
Additionally, Kuwait's military reported on social media platform X that its air defenses were actively countering attacks by hostile drones, attributing these threats to Iranian aggression. US President Donald Trump had earlier issued a stark warning, indicating that for each ship targeted by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, the US would retaliate by destroying a bridge or power plant.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has declared that Iran would adopt an "eye for an eye" approach in response to any acts of aggression, including targeted attacks on infrastructure. In a recent post on X, he stated that any attack on Iran would prompt a "powerful and decisive response."
The ongoing conflict has seen Iran retaliating against US actions by targeting energy infrastructure and desalination plants in neighboring Gulf countries, which supply essential drinking water. While international law generally prohibits attacks on civilian infrastructure, exceptions exist if such facilities are used for military purposes.