Following the US and Israel’s launch of a ‘major military operation’ in Iran, tensions in the Middle East are continuing to escalate – leaving people wondering whether it’s safe to travel to countries such as Turkey.
On Sunday, Iran vowed revenge after the killing of its ruler, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and traded strikes with Israel as part of a widening war prompted by the joint US-Israeli attack, Operation Epic Fury.
The death toll in Iran has since risen to 1,332, with at least 11 people killed across the Gulf, and another 11 killed in Israel.
The wider region continues to be affected. Airspace was closed in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Iraq and Qatar, and an RAF base in Cyprus was hit by a drone strike, leading easyJet to cancel all of its flights to the Mediterranean island.
You can find the latest advice for Cyprus in our travel advisory here.
The conflict has brought chaos and uncertainty to international travel.
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And, as Turkey shares a land border with Iran, concerns are growing about how safe it is to go there. Here’s everything we know so far…
Is it safe to travel to Turkey? Latest Foreign Office advice
Today, Monday, March 9, Turkey said NATO air defences shot down a second Iranian ballistic missile that had entered its airspace and warned it would move against any such threats, which increasingly pose a test for Ankara.
The incident, which took place over southern Turkey, marks the second intercepted missile from Iran in the last week.
Turkey, NATO’s second-largest army, had warned Tehran on Saturday against attacking again, but it has not suggested it wants to formally call on bloc members for further protection.
Meanwhile, earlier today, the US State Department ordered all non-essential government employees and their family members to leave the consulate in Adana, southeastern Turkey, due to safety risks.
American civilians in southeast Turkey are strongly encouraged to leave now.
The US consulate in Adana has suspended all consular services. Americans should contact the US Embassy Ankara or the US Consulate General Istanbul instead.
From a UK perspective, the Foreign Office last updated its travel guidance for Turkey on March 1, when it changed its advice on entering Turkey across the land border from Iran — informing British nationals that they must request support from the British Embassy in Ankara before travelling to the border.
The guidance continued: ‘If you intend to leave Iran overland, you do so at your own risk.
‘In Iran, holding a British passport or having perceived connections to the UK can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to detain you.’
The Foreign Office continues to advise against ‘all travel to parts of Turkey’. This specifically refers to travel within 10km of the border between Turkey and Syria, in light of the terrorism risk.
As is stands, there is no FCDO travel warning for popular holiday destinations such as Istanbul, Cappadocia and Antalya.
Are flights to Turkey cancelled?
Flights from the UK to Turkey are running as usual, but airlines are keeping a close eye on the situation.
British Airways, AJet, and Pegasus all run daily routes from London to Istanbul.
British Airways said it is closely monitoring the situation, and that it’s cancelled a ‘number’ of flights to the Middle East.
‘Safety is always our top priority and we would never operate a flight unless it was safe to do so,’ the guidance, posted on the BA website, reads.
It adds that passengers flying between Heathrow and Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai and Tel Aviv between now and March 15 are able to change their flight, free of charge, until March 29.
Those due to fly up until March 8 can also apply for a full refund, given the situation.
As Jo Rhodes, travel expert at Which? tells Metro, many airlines are amending schedules in the Middle East, including making the decision to cancel flights to impacted areas.
She says: ‘Given the extraordinary circumstances, passengers on delayed or cancelled flights will not be entitled to compensation. However, if you are flying with a UK or EU airline, or are departing a UK or EU airport with any carrier, your airline should provide assistance during your delay.
‘Depending on the length of your delay, assistance may include food and drink and, where necessary, overnight accommodation. If your journey is cancelled, you are entitled to a full refund.’
How close is Turkey to Iran?
Turkey and Iran are connected by land, and Tehran and Istanbul are between 2,000 and 2,050 kilometres away from one another by air.
The border between the two countries stretches for around 300 miles.
According to Alaraybiya English, day-trip crossings at the border between Turkey and Iran have been halted at all three customs gates.
However, Turkey’s trade minister, Omer Bolat, said Iran is allowing its own citizens to enter Iran via Turkey, and Turkey is allowing its own citizens to come back to Turkey from Iran.
What if I don’t want to travel to Turkey?
If you already have a holiday booked to Turkey and you choose not to travel, you won’t be eligible for a refund, because the Foreign Office has not explicitly advised against travelling there.
However, keep an eye on the Foreign Office guidance to monitor the situation.
If they do advise against travel, contact your tour operator, travel insurance provider or airline, who will be able to provide further assistance.
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