It is the first time that Britain has advised against travel to any part of Israel since 2013, when the FCDO set up its dedicated travel advice pages. Starmer has not ruled out offering air support to defend Israel from Iranian attacks, as additional RAF fighter jets and other military aircraft were deployed to the Middle East.

Israel sent 200 fighter jets to conduct its operation in Iran and has dropped more than 330 different types of munitions so far, Israeli military spokesman Effie Defrin said.

Britain is moving additional military assets, including fighter jets, to the Middle East to provide support across the region, Prime Minister Keir Starmer told reporters on Saturday as he was en route to a Group of Seven meeting in Canada.