Britain has temporarily withdrawn its remaining diplomatic staff from Iran due to the escalating security situation, as the United States continues airstrikes against Iranian targets and Houthi rebels conduct attacks in the Red Sea. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) stated that UK staff have been evacuated and the embassy will continue to operate remotely. The FCDO advises against all travel to Iran, warning that British and dual British-Iranian residents face a significant risk of arrest, questioning, or detention.
This withdrawal follows a similar move in February ahead of U.S. and Israeli combat operations. U.S. Central Command announced that airstrikes on Wednesday marked the twelfth night of attacks aimed at degrading Iran's ability to threaten civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting regional waters. U.S. forces struck military targets including maritime capabilities, missile and drone storage facilities, coastal surveillance sites, and air defense assets.
Iranian state media reported that missiles struck near the cities of Ahvaz, Ramshir, and Andimeshk. Two people were killed in the town of Shalamcheh on the Iraqi border. Kuwait's army reported that its air defenses confronted hostile drone attacks following Iranian aggression.
Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump had warned that any Iranian attack on a ship in the Strait of Hormuz would result in the destruction of a bridge or power plant in Iran. Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi stated that Iran would adopt an "eye for an eye" approach, and any aggression would be met with a powerful response. Iran's army and its Revolutionary Guards claimed to have attacked U.S. bases in Kuwait and destroyed U.S. military assets in Jordan, including radar systems and a helicopter hangar.
Meanwhile, a Saudi vessel was attacked in the Red Sea, with Tehran-backed Houthi rebels claiming responsibility for striking tankers in the waterway. The Houthis had previously threatened to blockade Saudi ports on the Red Sea, a critical route for oil shipments. Saudi Arabia confirmed that the tanker Encelia was struck, though the extent of damage to the other reported tanker remains unclear.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards announced they had stopped three oil tankers from passing through the Strait of Hormuz, claiming the tankers were attempting to use a mined route. The Guards stated the Strait of Hormuz is under their control and warned that any ship deceived by the U.S. and attempting to pass without coordination would face consequences. The statement did not specify when this incident occurred.
The escalating conflict began after ceasefire talks between the U.S. and Iran broke down two weeks prior. The 11th night of strikes on Iran into Wednesday saw air defenses open fire over Tehran. Iran also launched a missile attack on a Jordanian city, and alerts were sounded in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Iran has reportedly responded to U.S. attacks by targeting energy infrastructure and desalination plants in neighboring Gulf countries.
In parallel developments, the U.S. announced a deal with Saudi Arabia to establish a civilian nuclear program in the country, which the U.S. maintains includes nonproliferation safeguards. This agreement comes as the U.S. is engaged in a conflict with Iran, partly stemming from concerns over Tehran's nuclear program, an issue that has stalled peace talks. The U.S. Energy Department stated the agreements lay the foundation for a long-term partnership advancing economic and strategic objectives, including nuclear nonproliferation. Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has previously stated the kingdom would develop nuclear weapons if Iran did.