Despite promising steps in direction of a everlasting conclusion to the battle in the Middle East in current weeks, tensions between the US and Iran have flared as soon as once more, main US President Donald Trump to declare the ceasefire “over” earlier this week.
Trump made the statement on Wednesday, 8 July, as he arrived in Turkey ahead of the Nato summit, although he added that negotiators on both sides could continue talking, with regional mediators Qatar and Pakistan ramping up diplomatic efforts.
The renewed tensions follow a spate of attacks on shipping containers in the Strait of Hormuz this week. While Iran did not claim responsibility for the strikes, the US responded by launching attacks on Iran overnight on Tuesday, hitting more than 80 targets. In a second wave of attacks overnight on Wednesday, the US said it hit more than 90 targets. Iran says the attacks have killed 14 people and left at least 78 injured.
Kuwait, which has been repeatedly attacked by Iran since a temporary ceasefire was agreed in April, said it had intercepted two ballistic missiles and 13 drones on Wednesday, and a further wave launched on Thursday. Bahrain and Qatar also issued security alerts early on Thursday morning, urging residents to remain in a safe place. On Thursday afternoon, Jordan successfully intercepted at least eight Iranian missiles that entered its airspace. It is the worst flare-up in the region since the Memorandum of Understanding to end the conflict was signed on 17 June.
The renewed tensions follow a difficult few months for travel across the Middle East, with airspace closures, flight disruption and schedule changes caused by the outbreak of the war. Despite the peace talks, May and June saw sporadic missile attacks across the Gulf, particularly in Bahrain and Kuwait, meaning those travelling from, to or through the region should remain vigilant to possible flight disruptions.
And with the summer rush upon us, travellers are being warned to allow themselves extra time at the airport. Dubai Airports, which oversees Dubai International Airport, said it was expecting more than 200,000 passengers a day between 2 and 12 July, as many families leave the region for the summer to escape the harsh temperatures.
Emirates issued a particular advisory for households travelling throughout this era, warning them to make sure they arrive at the airport not less than three hours earlier than their scheduled departure time, clear safety with 90 minutes to spare, and be at their gate one hour earlier than departure time. And with many worldwide airways nonetheless not flying from the area, these travelling on regional airways can count on key routes into Europe, the US and Asia to be busier than standard.
While the first tentative steps in direction of a everlasting finish to the battle have been agreed upon, and hostilities have considerably decreased, travellers must be ready for the state of affairs to vary at quick discover.