Foreign office

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer: England cricketer Jonny Bairstow has spoken of his fear for his family’s safety after being stranded in Dubai amid escalating military tensions in the Middle East.

Commercial flights leaving the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been suspended after Iran launched missile and drone strikes, preventing thousands of travellers from departing. The attacks are said to be retaliation for joint Israeli and US operations in Tehran that resulted in the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Saturday.

Bairstow, 36, travelled to Dubai for a family holiday and clarified on social media that he is not part of the England Lions squad, contrary to some assumptions. The wicketkeeper-batter shared the anxiety of trying to keep his loved ones safe while looking for a way to return to the UK.