Airlines across the Middle East and beyond are cancelling and diverting flights following military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, with the ripple effects now significantly impacting global travel.

Flights have been suspended in and out of key regional hubs including Tel Aviv, Dubai and Doha as airspace closures continue amid escalating security concerns.

The UK’s Foreign Office has issued updated travel guidance, advising against all but essential travel to Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, urging British nationals already in these countries to remain sheltered.

Iran has launched retaliatory attacks across Gulf states in response to the strikes that began early Saturday, prompting widespread disruption to long-haul routes. Heathrow Airport has advised passengers to check with airlines as delays and cancellations continue.

British officials are reportedly preparing contingency plans to evacuate UK nationals, though timelines remain uncertain due to extensive airspace closures.

Major carriers have already suspended operations. Emirates halted flights to and from Dubai until Monday afternoon local time, while Etihad Airways paused departures from Abu Dhabi.

There have also been casualties linked to the unfolding crisis, with one person killed and 11 injured at airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Among the injured were staff at Dubai International Airport.

British Airways has cancelled services to Tel Aviv and Bahrain until Wednesday and warned that routes between Heathrow and destinations including Abu Dhabi, Amman, Doha and Dubai could be disrupted for days.

Meanwhile, Virgin Atlantic has suspended flights to Riyadh and Dubai, noting that journeys to destinations such as India, Saudi Arabia and the Maldives may take longer as aircraft are rerouted.

Airspace over Iran, Israel, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Syria and the UAE remains closed, while Saudi Arabia has implemented partial restrictions. Though Jordan and Lebanon remain open, flight activity there is limited.

Qatar Airways said its operations remain temporarily suspended following the closure of Qatari airspace.

Explosions have been reported in multiple locations, including at Erbil airport in Iraq, while Gulf states including the UAE and Qatar say they have intercepted Iranian missiles and drones.

The UK has also expanded its travel warnings, advising against all travel to Israel and the Palestinian territories, and urging caution across several other countries including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed British aircraft are participating in defensive operations in the region, following discussions with US President Donald Trump.

With large sections of Middle Eastern airspace still restricted, uncertainty continues for travellers worldwide as the security situation evolves.

Iran has announced the death of its Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, following overnight strikes reportedly carried out by the United States and Israel.

According to Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Khamenei was killed early Saturday morning at his office in Tehran while carrying out official duties.

Satellite imagery has since shown extensive damage to parts of the Leadership House compound in the Iranian capital, where Khamenei maintained his office.

Iran’s state-linked Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-affiliated Tasnim News Agency said the circumstances of his death refuted earlier claims that he had gone into hiding, describing such reports as “psychological warfare”.

The announcement was delivered across state television, with presenters visibly emotional as they confirmed the country would observe 40 days of mourning.

Attention is now expected to turn to the Assembly of Experts, the powerful clerical council responsible for appointing a successor.

Iran’s Red Crescent reported that more than 200 people were killed during the strikes.

In retaliation, Iran has launched attacks across parts of the Middle East, targeting areas hosting US forces and allied interests, including locations in Dubai, Doha, Bahrain and Kuwait.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain is participating in coordinated regional defensive operations aimed at protecting its citizens and partners.

US President Donald Trump described Khamenei as “one of the most evil people in history” and said his death represented a potential turning point for Iran’s future. He also indicated that military operations would continue, as explosions were still being reported across Tehran.

The situation has sparked division among US lawmakers, as the president cannot formally declare war without congressional approval. Meanwhile, the United Nations warned that the military escalation risks undermining regional stability.

Further strikes have continued, with US Central Command stating it is carrying out “swift and decisive action”, while the Israel Defense Forces confirmed a new wave of attacks targeting Iranian missile systems, defence infrastructure and command centres.

Explosions have continued to be heard across Tehran as tensions in the region intensify.

A sharp escalation in hostilities has pushed relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan into a dangerous new phase, with Pakistan’s defence minister stating the country is now in what he described as an “open war” following a series of cross-border strikes.

Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif made the declaration after Islamabad launched airstrikes targeting locations in Kabul as part of a broader military response.

The strikes came shortly after the Taliban announced a major offensive against Pakistani military posts along the border late on Thursday night.

The renewed clashes mark the most serious deterioration in relations since the fragile ceasefire agreed in October. Previous negotiations aimed at ending hostilities broke down last year, with both sides accusing each other of failing to engage constructively.

The Taliban said it had initiated what it called a “retaliatory operation” on Thursday evening. Pakistan responded swiftly, accusing Afghan forces of opening unprovoked fire across multiple locations in the north-western province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Islamabad described its military response as “immediate and effective,” followed by air raids in the early hours of Friday targeting sites in Kabul, Kandahar and Paktika — all near the rugged 2,600km border shared by the two nations.

Pakistan’s military spokesman Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said 22 Afghan military targets were struck, claiming more than 200 Taliban fighters were killed. He also reported the loss of at least 12 Pakistani soldiers.

However, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid disputed those figures, stating that 13 fighters had been killed and 22 injured, while also reporting civilian casualties.

In a brief post later removed from social media, Mujahid said Afghan forces had launched retaliatory strikes on Pakistani military positions in Kandahar and Helmand. Taliban sources indicated these attacks involved drones launched from Afghan territory.

Pakistan’s Information Minister Atta Tarar said the country’s military successfully intercepted Afghan drones targeting Swabi, Nowshera and Abbottabad — the latter home to Pakistan’s military academy.