The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued six new updates this afternoon (March 5) amid the ongoing Middle East conflict. The updates landed shortly after Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a press conference to share the latest on the situation.

On X, the government agency said: "Update on UK consular assistance to British nationals in the Middle East – 5 March 2026." It went on to list six points regarding the government's latest plans and what anyone directly affected by the Iran war can do.

The first point reads: "The first government charter flight has taken off from Oman today, bringing British nationals back home, including many who are vulnerable." The second states: "Further flights are planned in the coming days. British nationals in Oman will be contacted about these as they become available."

The third says: "Over 4,000 people returned to the UK from the region yesterday. More flights are expected today." The fourth update reveals that the FCDO Rapid Deployment Teams are in Oman and Saudi Arabia to assist British nationals on the ground.

The fifth update urges anyone affected by the conflict to "Register Your Presence". It adds: "If you are a British national in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar and United Arab Emirates, so we can share important information on the situation."

The sixth and final point requests: "Please continue to follow FCDO Travel Advice and the advice of local authorities." For more information, including how to register, visit Gov.uk/middle-east-updates. Over 140,000 people from Britain have signed up with the Foreign Office to let the government agency know they are in the Middle East.

Four additional British Typhoon fighter jets are being sent to Qatar because of the conflict in the Middle East, according to Sir Keir Starmer. During a press conference at Downing Street, the Prime Minister also shared that a Government-chartered flight from Oman to Britain has just taken off, after being delayed overnight.

Sir Keir revealed he had chaired a Cobra meeting on Thursday, and acknowledged that people across the UK were "worried sick about their family and friends who are caught up in this".

He said: "I want to reassure the British public about the action that we are taking while the region has been plunged into chaos. My focus is providing calm, level-headed leadership in the national interest."

Many flights in the Gulf region have been affected by the fighting between Iran and the US, along with its allies, resulting in widespread cancellations. People are urged to register their presence if they are in one of these affected countries, as well as monitor travel advice for the country they are in, follow advice from local authorities and read the guidance on being affected by a crisis abroad.

Muscat has emerged as a key location for people wanting to leave the Middle East. The Foreign Office does not advise against travel to the area around the capital’s airport, unlike the current advice for airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha.

Foreign Office minister Hamish Falconer, whose portfolio includes the Middle East, told the Commons: "Following close engagement with Government, British Airways have laid on new flights to Muscat which we anticipate flying every day. We are grateful to British Airways for their efforts.

"We are also providing UK-supported charter flights out of Muscat. The first of these was delayed yesterday evening due to technical issues at the airport but is scheduled to depart imminently, with further flights planned in the coming days. British nationals in Oman will be contacted about these as they become available."