Emirates said it has suspended all operations to and from Dubai until at least tomorrow due to 'multiple regional airspace closures' as fighting continues across the Middle East

Emirates has suspended all flights for third day running as hotels across Dubai were instructed not to evict stranded British tourists from their rooms under any circumstances.

The UAE's airspace was partially closed on Saturday after the US and Israel conducted strikes against Iran, killing its supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. As retaliatory strikes continue across the Middle East, hundreds of thousands of Brits remain trapped in the region, with the Foreign Office having launched an unprecedented operation to support those abroad.

Almost 100,000 Brits, who are mostly in Dubai, have already registered their presence in the Middle East via an online government platform which was launched shortly after the airstrikes began this weekend.

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Emirates - the world's largest airline - says it has grounded all its operations through Dubai until 11am GMT on Tuesday, March 3. More than 20,000 travellers are thought to have been impacted by flight cancellations since the UAE airports closed on Saturday.

A statement from the airline reads: "Due to multiple regional airspace closures, Emirates has temporarily suspended operations to and from Dubai. Emirates urges customers to check their flight status on emirates.com for the latest updates before proceeding to the airport.

"We are actively monitoring the situation and engaging with relevant authorities. We apologise to customers affected by disruptions for any inconvenience caused, and we are assisting them with rebooking, refunds, or alternative travel arrangements. The safety and security of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority."

On Sunday, three people were killed and 58 others were injured by Iranian attacks on the United Arab Emirates, according to the country's defence ministry.

Hotels across Dubai have since instructed that stranded tourists must not be evicted from their rooms under any circumstances. Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism told hotels to provide the necessary assistance to tourists affected by flight cancellations or delays following widespread travel disruption in the region.

In an email from the DET, obtained by English-language Dubai newspaper the Khaleej Times, the UAE tourism authority outlined how hotels should assist stranded visitors.

"We kindly request your cooperation in ensuring that hotel guests who were due to check out but are unable to do so as a result of these circumstances are offered the option to extend their stay under the same conditions as their initial booking," the DET email states, reports the Express.

"It is important that no guests are evicted under these circumstances."

The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority said the UAE will cover all expenses for those trapped in the crisis, including food and accommodation costs for stranded tourists.

Since the fighting escalated, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK has granted the US permission to launch strikes on Iranian missile sites from British bases.

He said that while the UK will not be directly involved in strikes, "partners in the Gulf have asked us to do more to defend them".