Travel has been thrown into chaos across the Middle East following Israel’s sudden attack on Iran, with airspaces closed and flights cancelled.
On Sunday, the UK Foreign Office advised against all travel to Israel. Now, travellers are looking at the map of the wider region with concern over whether it is safe to travel to Turkey.
The country’s golden beaches and ancient cities are some of the most popular destinations for UK holidaymakers.
Turkey clocked 4.43 million visits from British tourists in 2024, with many drawn to coastal hotspots like Bodrum and Marmaris as well as the sprawling streets of Istanbul.
What does the Foreign Office say?
The UK Foreign Office has not advised against travelling to Turkey, and you can rest assured that most regions are safe and tourist-friendly.
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While the country has not been affected by the conflict in the Middle East, the UK has been warning against all travel to within 10km of the border with Syria for many years.
As it stands, nine countries are on the Foreign Office’s ‘do not travel list’. You can find the full list here.
Unrelated to the strikes by Israel and Iran, Turkey has made headlines in recent days after two hot air balloons filled with tourists crashed to the ground in the world-famous Cappadocia region.
One person was killed and at least a dozen injured. One was carrying Indonesian tourists and set off at 5am local time (3am GMT).
Two hours later, it made a hard landing near the village of Karataş, with the pilot dying in the crash.
Can I claim a refund for my holiday if I don’t want to go?
In terms of refund rights, it’s important to note that the Foreign Office has not advised against travel to Turkey.
Because of this, there is no prospect of being able to cancel a trip for a full refund.
Travel insurance is unlikely to help, either. Insurers will argue there is no reason not to go.
As Grant Winter, compliance officer at specialist travel insurance provider Goodtogo, tells Metro: ‘No airline is obligated to refund you for a flight you choose not to take.’
So, if you choose not to travel, you’re likely to lose some – or even all – of your money.
What is happening in Israel and Iran?
In the early hours of Friday, Israel launched an unprecedented strike that targeted Iran’s nuclear and military sites.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims Tehran was developing a nuclear weapon that posed an imminent threat to Israel.
Iran, for its part, insists it doesn’t want nuclear weapons. Israel is widely acknowledged to have nuclear weapons, though it has never publicly confirmed it.
Strikes by both countries continue as the conflict enters its fourth day.
The attacks, which experts say took years to plan, came despite ongoing negotiations between Iran and Israel’s main ally, the US, over the future of Iran’s nuclear programme.
Donald Trump has insisted the US had nothing to do with the strikes, but warned of grave consequences if American bases or troops are targeted.
‘If we are attacked in any way, shape or form by Iran, the full strength and might of the US Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before,’ he said in a post on Truth Social.
Addressing Israel’s attack on Friday night, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) called for immediate de-escalation.
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said: ‘This development is deeply concerning.
‘I have repeatedly stated that nuclear facilities must never be attacked, regardless of the context or circumstances, as it could harm both people and the environment.
‘Such attacks have serious implications for nuclear safety, security and safeguards, as well as regional and international peace and security.’
Are other holiday destinations affected?
Across the Middle East and neighbouring regions, flights have been cancelled and airspaces closed.
On social media, anxious travellers have voiced concern about the conflict spilling over to Cyprus, Jordan and UAE hotspots such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi. But official advice remains unchanged.
The Foreign Office considers the UAE safe to travel to.
For Jordan, the Foreign Office reiterates the risk of ongoing hostilities in the region between Iran and Israel.
It says travellers should monitor local news channels and follow the instructions of local authorities. If you hear air raid sirens, the guidance says you should take shelter and stay away from windows.
As of 7:30am local time on June 14, Jordanian airspace has reopened but airports and airspace may close at short notice.
Before you travel, the Foreign Office advises you to contact your airline and, if you have one, your travel insurer.
Meanwhile in Cyprus, which is just 472km from Israel and Palestine, people have described seeing streaks of light crossing the night sky over the island.
Some said they believed they had witnessed missile interception from Larnaca, but the blurry, low-resolution video shared in the post was impossible to verify.
But despite the rapidly developing situation, the UK Foreign Office has not issued an official warning suggesting that Cyprus is unsafe for visitors.
Current guidance reads: ‘Ongoing hostilities in the region and between Israel and Iran could escalate quickly and pose security risks for the wider region.’
The Foreign Office advises travellers already on the island to monitor local and international media for updates, and follow the instructions of local authorities.
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