It is the first time that Britain has advised against travel to any part of Israel since 2013, when the FCDO set up its dedicated travel advice pages. Starmer has not ruled out offering air support to defend Israel from Iranian attacks, as additional RAF fighter jets and other military aircraft were deployed to the Middle East.

By Britain has sent fighter jets to the Middle East to protect its assets and “potentially to support our allies,” Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said. “It does not mean that we are at war and we have not been involved in these strikes or this conflict,

More RAF jets are being sent to the Middle East amid intense fighting between Israel and Iran, the prime minister has said. Sir Keir Starmer said the military aircraft were being sent "for contingency support across the region".