Burak Bir
12 March 2026•Update: 12 March 2026
LONDON
The British foreign secretary arrived in Saudi Arabia on Thursday "to show UK support for regional allies" amid the US-Israel-Iran war.
The Foreign Office said Yvette Cooper travelled to Saudi Arabia, demonstrating the UK’s commitment to support long‑standing partners in the Gulf.
Condemning the Iranian strikes on Gulf partner nations where hundreds of thousands of British nationals travel and reside, the foreign secretary highlighted strong cooperation on ensuring oil supply and energy security amid the conflict.
"The UK continues efforts to bring British people home, with 63,000 already returning from the region, five UK charter flights have also departed from the UAE and Oman, with more in the coming days," according to a statement.
Cooper noted that since the situation in the Middle East remains "highly volatile," the UK's priority is the safety and security of British people, alongside supporting its partners across the region who face continuing strikes.
"This is why it is so important for me to be here in Saudi Arabia - an essential partner for the UK in the Gulf, who have been targeted by reckless attacks by the Iranian regime," she added.
The escalation in the Middle East flared since Israel and the US launched a joint attack against Iran on Feb. 28, killing more than 1,300 victims to date, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and over 150 schoolgirls.
Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, killing at least eight US service members and injuring 140.
