Conflict & Security
UK withdraws remaining diplomatic staff from Iran
Britain said on 23 July 2026 that it had temporarily withdrawn its remaining diplomatic staff from Iran because of the security situation, as the conflict between Iran and the United States escalates.
The Foreign Office said on its website that UK staff had been temporarily withdrawn from Iran and that the British embassy was continuing to operate remotely. It declined to say how many staff had been withdrawn.
Britain had withdrawn embassy staff from Iran in June, after similar moves by other European countries, Australia and New Zealand. The source says those withdrawals followed renewed Israeli air strikes on Iran, with Israel claiming that Iran was close to developing a nuclear weapon.
The Foreign Office advises against all travel to Iran. It says British nationals already in Iran, whether residents or visitors, should carefully consider their presence there and the risks of staying.
The source also notes the case of Craig Foreman and his wife Lindsay, a British couple detained while travelling in Iran during a round-the-world motorbike trip at the start of 2025. They are serving 10-year sentences for spying, charges both deny. Their family said last week that Craig Foreman had been given an additional two years for talking to the media.
Update
The Foreign Office declined to say how many staff had been withdrawn.
The Foreign Office advises against all travel to Iran and tells British nationals already there to consider the risks of staying.
The source adds context on British couple Craig and Lindsay Foreman, who were detained in Iran and are serving 10-year spying sentences on charges they deny.
The family of Craig Foreman said he had been given an extra two years for talking to the media.
Source note: AFP news report published on 23 July 2026 at 11:50:52 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The Foreign Office did not say how many staff were withdrawn.
Source
AFP news report published on .