The announcement was made on Friday through the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), which updated its official travel guidance for Iran, according to Reuters. 

The British government has announced the temporary withdrawal of UK staff from its embassy in Tehran, citing escalating security concerns in Iran following renewed hostilities between Israel and Iran.

The announcement was made on Friday through the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), which updated its official travel guidance for Iran, according to Reuters. 

“We have taken the precautionary measure to temporarily withdraw UK staff from Iran. Our embassy continues to operate remotely,” the advisory stated.

This move comes in the wake of heightened regional instability after Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Iran last week, prompting Iranian retaliation in the form of multiple missile attacks. 

The flare-up has raised international alarm over the potential for broader conflict in the Middle East.

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who is currently in Geneva for diplomatic talks on Iran's nuclear programme alongside European partners, has been actively calling for de-escalation. 

“We urge both Israel and Iran to exercise restraint and commit to a diplomatic path forward,” Lammy said in a statement before departing for Switzerland.

The UK has not closed its Tehran embassy entirely but confirmed that core operations will continue remotely while staff are withdrawn for safety. The Foreign Office has also reiterated its advice against all travel to Iran due to the “volatile security situation and the risk of arbitrary detention of British nationals.”

The ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran have disrupted regional stability and triggered global diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation. Analysts warn that continued military actions could unravel years of fragile negotiations surrounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions and broader regional peace.

The temporary diplomatic withdrawal underscores growing Western concern over Iran’s internal security environment and its evolving foreign policy posture amid the latest crisis.

The UK joins several other European countries considering contingency plans for their missions in Tehran as tensions rise.