THE Foreign Office has warned against travelling to 18 countries following Israel's overnight air strikes on Iran, urging people to “take extra caution”.

The Government issued the warning due to the “potential for a regional escalation in violence”.

The Foreign Office stated: "Ongoing hostilities in the region and between Israel and Lebanon could escalate quickly and pose risks for the wider region.

READ MORE:  Israeli air strikes on Iran kill two soldiers

"On 1 October, Iran launched around 200 ballistic missiles at Israel. On 26 October, Israel carried out military action against Iran."

Included in the alert are popular holiday destinations such as Cyprus, Turkey and Morocco.

Countries in the alert include:

  • Cyprus
  • Turkey
  • Egypt
  • Morocco
  • Tunisia
  • Algeria
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Qatar
  • Bahrain
  • Oman
  • Kuwait
  • Palestine 
  • Israel
  • Libya
  • Iran
  • Lebanon
  • Syria

It continues: "Monitor this travel advice and other media as the situation is changing fast”.

The Foreign Office reminded people that travel insurance could be void if people opt to still travel to the listed regions.

Israel launched pre-dawn air strikes on Iran on Saturday, claiming it was in retaliation for previous ballistic missile attacks on Israel.

READ MORE: Keir Starmer must stop encouraging Israel to continue this madness

Iranian state media reported sounds of explosions near the capital, and two soldiers have been killed.

The Israeli military has claimed it targeted Iranian facilities used to manufacture missiles launched at Israel, in addition to surface-to-air missile sites.

Israeli forces are not targeting nuclear sites, following warnings from the USA.