Iran latest: UK and US embassy staff withdrawn ahead of potential Trump strikes – UK Times

During a four-day period in February, satellite images showcased an increase in the amount of military support aircrafts, including refuelling tankers, present at a Saudi airbase used by the US military. It shows that Washington is building forces in the region amidst tensions with Iran.

Saudi Arabia, which is a longstanding US ally, told Iran last month it would not allow its airspace or territory to be used for military actions against Tehran. This week Iran held indirect negotiations with Washington on Thursday over its nuclear programme in Tehran.

In a high-resolution satellite image taken on February 21, at least 43 aircraft were visible at Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan Airbase – which has hosted US forces for decades – compared with 27 aircraft visible in a February 17 image.

The number dropped to 38 in a February 25 image.

Britain has temporarily relocated some of its diplomatic staff and their dependants from Tel Aviv to another location within Israel, as a precautionary measure due to rising tensions in the region, the Foreign Office said on Friday.

Britain said its embassy in Tel Aviv continued to operate normally, but warned that the security situation “could escalate quickly” and that international borders, including air and land routes, might close with little notice.

Additionally, Britain advised against all but essential travel to Israel and Palestine, and continued to advise avoiding some areas entirely. It warned that while missile and drone attacks on Israel had become less frequent, the risk remained across Israel and the Palestinian territories.

The US and Iran made progress in discussions over Tehran’s nuclear program on Thursday, mediator Oman said, but there was no sign of a breakthrough that could prevent potential US strikes as American air and sea forces arrive in the Middle East.

France on Friday reinforced its warnings to nationals not to travel to Israel, Jerusalem and the West Bank because of the security situation in Iran.

Israel fought a 12-day war against Iran last June, which the United States joined in the final stages to attack and target Iranian nuclear facilities.

The Polish foreign ministry has called on citizens to immediately evacuate Iran, Israel and Lebanon, due to the escalating tensions in the Middle East.

“The security situation in the Middle East is unstable. The risk of escalation is high! Airspace for civilian traffic may be closed. Return by air may be impossible or significantly hindered,” it said on social media platform X on Friday in three posts regarding Iran, Israel and Lebanon.

The Independent’s James C. Reynolds reports:

Britain’s Foreign Office has advised against all but essential travel to Israel and the Palestinian territories, in an update on Friday.

“We have taken the precautionary measure to temporarily move some of our staff and their dependents from Tel Aviv to another location within Israel,” a statement on the website read.

“Our Embassy continues to operate as normal. The situation could escalate quickly and poses significant risks.

“Regional tensions may cause international borders (air and land) to close.”

JD Vance has said there is “no chance” the United States will become embroiled in a years-long war with Iran if Donald Trump decides to launch fresh strikes.

Mr Vance told The Washington Post that the country would not be drawn into another long war in the desert, following unsuccessful US military campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“The idea that we’re going to be in a Middle Eastern war for years with no end in sight – there is no chance that will happen,” he said, pointing to the US capture of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro in January and the strikes on Iran last summer as operations that were “very clearly defined”.

Iran has not allowed the United Nations nuclear watchdog to access nuclear facilities affected by the 12-day war in June, according to a confidential report by the U.N. nuclear watchdog circulated to member states and seen Friday by The Associated Press.

The report stressed that therefore the agency “cannot verify whether Iran has suspended all enrichment-related activities,” or the “size of Iran’s uranium stockpile at the affected nuclear facilities.”

Citing unnamed US officials, The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that nuclear talks between US and Iran finished with both sides still far apart on key issues.

People familiar with the talks said Iran had objected to the idea of ending enrichment, dismantling its nuclear facilities, and imposing permanent restrictions on its programme.

Washington views nuclear enrichment inside Iran as a potential pathway to nuclear weapons, and has been unequivocal that Iran cannot be allowed to have one.

France has warned French citizens not to to travel to Israel, Jerusalem or the West Bank amid heightened security concerns in Iran.

It advised those currently there to be vigilant and identify shelters for safety.