Avoid travelling to Iran, asks the UK to its citizens

The British government on Saturday advised UK nationals to abstain from travelling out to Iraq and Iran in the face of elevated pressures in the Middle East after the US killing of a top Iranian officer in Baghdad.

“Following the demise of Qasem Soleimani and towering pressures in Iran and Iraq, we currently advise British nationals against their travelling to Iraq (and) we presently caution against everything except necessary travel to Iran,” Britain’s Foreign Office said in a recent announcement.

“The primary job of the government is to protect British individuals,” the announcement said.

“Given elevated pressures in the locale, (we) presently recommend individuals not to make a trip to Iraq, except for the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and to consider cautions whether it is important to head out to Iran. We will hold this under review.”

On Friday, the US military killed Soleimani in an airstrike outside Baghdad International air terminal that stunned the Islamic republic and started fears of another war in the Middle East.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps affirmed the passing of the authority of its Quds Force remote activities arm, and Tehran’s legislative initiative guaranteed “serious retribution… in the correct spot and time”.

In its announcement, the British Foreign Office encouraged UK nationals in the locale to “stay watchful and screen the media cautiously.”

On Friday, Foreign Minister Dominic Raab had stated that while London had “constantly perceived the forceful risk” presented by Soleimani and his Quds Force, “following his demise, we ask all gatherings to de-heighten. Further clash is in none of our inclinations.”