In an update to the page, the foreign office (FCDO) said: ‘Following a US security alert for US nationals in Qatar, out of an abundance of caution, we recommend that British nationals in Qatar shelter in place until further notice. Follow instructions from local authorities.
‘The FCDO is in contact with local authorities and international partners, and will provide further updates as the situation develops.’
Qatar also announced it would temporarily close its airspace to ensure the safety of residents and visitors. It is home to Al Udeid Air Base, the largest US base in the region.
‘As part of the State of Qatar’s commitment to the safety of its citizens, residents, and visitors, the relevant authorities announce the temporary suspension of air traffic in the country’s airspace,’ the foreign ministry said.
‘This is part of a set of precautionary measures taken based on developments in the region.’
Advice for British nationals there may be updated ‘over the course of the next few days’, the Foreign Secretary said.
David Lammy told the Commons: ‘This is an ongoing and fast-moving situation.’
He said the Government will keep advice ‘under close review and there may need to be further updates over the course of the next few days’.
It follows a similar direction by the gulf state’s US embassy to American citizens there.
The US Embassy in Doha said it issued the alert ‘out of an abundance of caution’, but offered no further information.
‘Out of an abundance of caution we recommend American citizens shelter in place until further notice,’ it said.
This comes less than 24 hours after a ‘worldwide caution’ alert was made for Americans travelling abroad, amid Israel’s escalatory attacks on Iran.
The US State department said in a notice on its website on Sunday: ‘The conflict between Israel and Iran has resulted in disruptions to travel and periodic closure of airspace across the Middle East.
‘There is the potential for demonstrations against US citizens and interests abroad.
‘The State Department advises citizens worldwide to exercise increased caution.’
But Dr Majed Al Ansari, advisor to Qatari prime minister bin Abdul-Rahman, said the warning ‘does not reflect specific threats’.
He added: ‘The security situation in the country is stable and the competent authorities are ready to take all necessary measures to ensure safety.’
Situated across the Persian Gulf from Iran, Qatar is home to the Al Udeid Air Base, which hosts the forward headquarters of the US military’s Central Command.
Iran has threatened US forces at Al Udeid in the past, but not after Sunday’s strike.
Qatar maintains diplomatic relations with Iran and shares a huge offshore natural gas field with them.
After the US bombardments in Iran, security officers at all US embassies and consulates had been instructed to conduct reviews of their post’s security posture and report back to the State Department by late Sunday.
It was not immediately clear if that was connected to the alert.
