Families of staff at British embassy in Tel Aviv 'temporarily withdrawn' - as Iran warns of all-out war
18 June 2025, 11:22 | Updated: 18 June 2025, 11:49
Families of staff at the British embassy in Tel Aviv and the consulate in Jerusalem have been “temporarily withdrawn as a precautionary measure”, the Foreign Office has said.
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The measure has been taken as tensions escalate amid the conflict between Iran and Israel.
"Family members of staff at the British embassy in Tel Aviv and the British consulate in Jerusalem have been temporarily withdrawn as a precautionary measure," the Foreign Office's travel advice page for Israel reads.
"The embassy and consulate continues with essential work including services to British nationals," it adds.
The UK government had already warned earlier this week people should not visit Israel under any circumstances, advice published amid missile exchanges with Iran.
Speaking to LBC on Tuesday, Israeli Ambassador to the UK Tzipi Hotovely said the UK is "not going to be involved" in the conflict between Israel and Iran.
She said in the past the UK "were great partners of the defence coalition", but added that Britain will be kept out of the conflict.
She told LBC's Andrew Marr: "We didn't ask anyone's help, honestly, from the British government. We are very clear that we are very happy that our friends from all around the world are supporting this very justified campaign against the most dangerous regime, not to have the most dangerous weapon.
"And we didn't ask their help. We are allies in intelligence cooperation. We do a lot of things together. On security, the UK is not involved."
It comes as Iran warned American involvement in its war with Israel would spell "all-out war" in the Middle East.
Donald Trump has called for the "unconditional surrender" of Iran as tensions in the region escalate.
Speaking on Wednesday, an Iranian spokesman added that Iran would not hesitate to attack the US if it joined Israel.
"We will not show any reluctance in defending our people, security and land - we will respond seriously and strongly, without restraint," he said.
One possible location the US President is considering striking is Fordow, an underground nuclear site which Iran allegedly uses to enrich uranium.
The site is believed to be at the heart of Iran's nuclear programme, according to sources who spoke to CBS, which include senior US officials.
Fordow is located almost 300 feet underground inside a mountain, and is protected by heavy fortifications and air defences.
Experts believe it is where Iran has been enriching uranium for weapons purposes, which hasn't yet been proven.
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