The Foreign Office has issued new guidance for travelling to Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

The new guidance came after the US attacks on Kharg Island, which is vital to Iran’s oil network as much as the Straits of Hormuz, and Iran’s threats to attack cities in the UAE following those American strikes.

Today (March 16), all flights to and from Dubai International Airport had to be suspended after a drone attack sparked a huge fire. A drone hit a fuel tank in the area in the early hours of Monday morning, sending fire and smoke pouring into the sky. No injuries have been reported.

This affected thousands of passengers and several UK flights. Emirates flight EK24 from Edinburgh to Dubai had left Edinburgh at 9.26pm on Sunday but was turned back as it flew through Egyptian airspace. Passengers spent hours in the air before landing on Monday morning, back where they had started from the previous evening

The airport was closed just before 5.30am local time (1.30am UK time) as a “precautionary measure to ensure the safety of all passengers and staff”. Dubai Media Office said: “Dubai Civil Aviation Authority announces the temporary suspension of flights at Dubai International Airport as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of all passengers and staff.

A “regional escalation” in the Middle East has resulted in updated travel guidance for British citizens and travellers.

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has updated its travel guidance for the United Arab Emirates.

The latest update shared on March 14 states that British travellers should stay away from areas around security or military facilities and US or Israeli government facilities. It comes after Iran has threatened to attack cities in the UAE following the US attacks on Kharg Island, which is vital to Iran’s oil network.

The new guidance from the UK Foreign Office reads: “Regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption. Stay away from areas around security or military facilities and US or Israeli government facilities.

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“Iran continues to strike civilian infrastructure across the region such as hotels, roads, bridges, energy facilities, financial institutions, oil production sites, water systems, and airports. Follow the instructions of the local authorities and monitor local and international media for the latest information.”

British Nationals in the UAE are also urged to register their interest in UK government flights from the country if their plans have been disrupted and to sign up for the latest FCDO emails. The government also provides advice on what to do if you’re affected by a crisis abroad. UK travellers are also warned of the risks from posting online during the ongoing conflict.

The FCDO guidance said: “It is illegal to post material, including videos and photographs, online that is critical of the UAE government, companies or individuals, or which relates to incidents in the UAE. This includes material which appears to abuse, ridicule or criticise the country or its authorities. Material that is culturally insensitive may also be considered illegal.”

Dubai International Airport said later on Monday morning that flights were “gradually resuming” following the “temporary suspension implemented as a precautionary measure.”

It advised passengers to not to travel to check with their airline before travelling to the airport. Many Emirates flights already in the air were diverted, while others waiting to take off were cancelled.

Five flights from UK airports returned to their points of origin. Passengers onboard a flight from London Stansted nearly made it to Dubai, but were diverted to Vienna, Austria.