{"id":24463,"date":"2026-02-28T19:54:35","date_gmt":"2026-02-28T19:54:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/28\/richard-keyes-forced-to-leave-as-british-nationals-in-the-middle-east-warn-to-evacuate-immediately\/"},"modified":"2026-02-28T19:54:35","modified_gmt":"2026-02-28T19:54:35","slug":"richard-keyes-forced-to-leave-as-british-nationals-in-the-middle-east-warn-to-evacuate-immediately","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/28\/richard-keyes-forced-to-leave-as-british-nationals-in-the-middle-east-warn-to-evacuate-immediately\/","title":{"rendered":"Richard Keyes forced to leave as British nationals in the Middle East warn to ‘evacuate immediately’"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Former Sky Sports presenter Richard Keyes is based in Qatar, where the country has been devastated by the aftermath of Saturday’s US attack on Iran.<\/h2>\n
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February 28, 2026, 11:44<\/span>Updated February 28, 2026 12:07<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Richard Keyes confirmed on Saturday that he will no longer work for beIN Sports following the US attack on Iran (Image: beIN Sports)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n
Richard Keyes has been forced to cancel beIN Sports broadcasts after the UK government warned Britons in the Middle East to “evacuate immediately” following the US bombing of Iran. The presenter had been based in Qatar for 13 years, but was unable to broadcast due to turmoil in the region and was replaced by beIN’s reporting from London.<\/p>\n
The former Sky Sports anchor has announced he will no longer host Saturday’s show. He said on X: “Thank you everyone for your messages. It was a little lively earlier. There’s no room for me to express my feelings about that stupid Trump. There’s no show today.”<\/p>\n
“You will be in the hands of our talented colleagues in London. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone in our region. Ramadan Kareem.”<\/p>\n
Keys’ comments followed a warning from the British government’s Foreign Office, which is based in various countries in the Middle East. Since the joint attack on Iran by Israel and the United States, Iran has carried out attacks against Israel and Qatar, as well as other targets in the Middle East.<\/p>\n
read more: Iran US Live: Trump attack sparks fears of World War 3, Dubai shakes by explosions<\/span><\/span>read more: Former EFL stadium to be demolished and replaced by new \u00a325m NHS center<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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“British nationals in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates should evacuate immediately as missile attacks have been reported.” \u201cPlease stay safe indoors, avoid all movement, and follow instructions from local authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n
Explosions were also heard in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait. Israeli officials also reported that Iran fired missiles at the country after the attack.<\/p>\n
Iran’s Security Council has vowed a “thorough” response to the military operation. The paper said the “enemies” wrongly assumed that Iran would “succumb to their petty demands through such despicable actions.”<\/p>\n
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Images of the aftermath of the US and Israeli attack on Tehran (Image: UGC\/UNKNOWN\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
US President Donald Trump has decided to bomb Iran despite ongoing talks over Iran’s nuclear program. Despite Iran’s concessions, President Trump said Friday he was “not thrilled” with the way the talks were proceeding.<\/p>\n
The 79-year-old plans to destroy Iran’s military. “We are going to destroy their missiles and completely destroy their missile industry,” he said.<\/p>\n
“We’re going to completely annihilate them again. We’re going to annihilate their naval forces. We’re going to make sure that terrorist proxies in the region can no longer use IEDs and roadside bombs that are called in to destabilize the region and the world, attack our military, and sometimes seriously injure or kill thousands of people, including many Americans.<\/p>\n
“And we guarantee that Iran will never have nuclear weapons. This is a very simple message: They will never have nuclear weapons.”<\/p>\n
The British government said its priority was the “safety of British nationals” in the Middle East. “Iran must never be allowed to develop nuclear weapons, which is why we continue to support efforts towards a negotiated solution,” a government spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
He added: “As part of our long-standing commitment to the security of our allies in the Middle East, we have extensive defense capabilities in the region and have recently strengthened them. We stand ready to protect our interests. We do not want further escalation into a broader regional conflict.”<\/p>\n
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Several major airlines have canceled flights to the Middle East (Image: Virgin Australia Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Wizz Air, Qatar Airways and Virgin Atlantic all canceled flights to the region on Saturday. Wizz Air director Rachel Ray said all flights to Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Amman would be suspended.<\/p>\n
She said: “Wizz Air has confirmed that in response to the recent escalation in the security situation in Iran, the airline has suspended all flights to and from Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Amman with immediate effect until March 7.”<\/p>\n
Qatar Airways announced that flights to and from Doha have been suspended due to the closure of Qatari airspace. British Airways has announced that it is canceling flights to Tel Aviv and Bahrain until March 3.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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