Travel warnings have multiplied throughout the Middle East because the United States and Israel launched an attack on Iran on Saturday morning, with President Donald Trump confirming “major combat operations” are underway.
Iran launched a number of retaliatory assaults on Saturday, concentrating on a number of Gulf nations, together with the UAE, Bahrain, Doha, and Kuwait.
The assaults observe failed negotiations in Geneva this week, inflicting an growing variety of governments to urge residents to depart Iran, Israel and components of the broader area. Airlines have additionally adjusted routes, suspended providers and rerouted plane in response to quickly shifting safety threat assessments.
Multiple Middle East airspaces have closed on account of the assault – together with the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Iran, Israel, and Iraq – with flight monitoring knowledge exhibiting near-empty skies over affected areas. The closures are anticipated to have important knock-on results on schedules throughout the broader area within the coming days. On Monday 2 March, it was introduced that restricted flights from Dubai airports have been anticipated to resume that night, however individuals are being instructed not to go to the airport until contacted particularly by their airline with a confirmed departure time.
Middle East travel advisories and warnings
These travel advisories and warnings are in place as of Monday, 2 March. This story will probably be up to date with new data if advice modifications
- United Kingdom: On Saturday, 28 February (nonetheless present on Monday, 2 March), the UK Foreign Office up to date its travel advice to warn towards all travel to Israel and Palestine. The FCDO additionally advises towards “all but essential travel” to Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and the UAE, and instructs British nationals in these nations to “immediately shelter in place”, stay indoors in a safe location and observe directions from native authorities. The British Embassy in Tehran stays quickly closed and working remotely.
- United States: The US State Department has ordered the departure of non-essential employees and eligible relations from the US embassy in Beirut, a precaution tied explicitly to rising Iran-related tensions. On 27 February, the US embassy in Jerusalem additionally authorised the departure of non-emergency US authorities personnel and their households from Mission Israel due to what it described as security dangers. Separately, Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait have been labelled as stage 3 locations, which means US residents ought to rethink travel. In Turkey, US authorities personnel are suggested to keep away from travel to the Adana consular district in southeastern Turkey due to regional developments. The US Embassy and Consulate within the UAE, in the meantime, is advising its residents to “shelter in place”, remaining inside their house or lodge.
- Australia: Australia has raised its stage of advice for the United Arab Emirates to “do not travel” following army strikes and heightened regional instability. Last week, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade suggested Australians to think about leaving Israel and Lebanon, and supplied voluntary departure preparations for households of diplomatic employees in Israel, Lebanon, the UAE, Qatar and Jordan amid what they deem to be a “deteriorating security situation.”
- Canada: Canada has escalated its steerage for the UAE, Bahrain, Iran, Israel, Kuwait, Iraq, Syria and Qatar, advising to “avoid all travel”. It beforehand suggested towards non-essential travel to Lebanon, and urged Canadians in Iran to “leave now if you can do so safely”. Officials have additionally suggested its residents within the UAE, that “sheltering in place may be your safest option” however shares that you could travel to Saudi Arabia or Oman through land border “when you consider you are able to do so safely.”sed its level of advice for the United Arab Emirates to “do not travel” following military strikes and heightened regional instability. Earlier in the week, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade advised Australians to consider leaving Israel and Lebanon, and offered voluntary departure arrangements for families of diplomatic staff in Israel, Lebanon, the UAE, Qatar and Jordan amid what they deem to be a “deteriorating security situation.”
- Netherlands: The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs has raised its travel alert level for the region, advising Dutch citizens in both Israel and Iran to monitor flight availability closely and to depart while commercial options remain feasible. It has issued a red travel advisory (meaning do not travel) for Bahrain, while the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan and Oman the colour code is orange advising Dutch nationals to only travel when completely necessary.
- India: India’s Embassy in the UAE issued an update to citizens, advising all Indian nationals to “avoid unnecessary travel, take due care, remain vigilant and follow safety guidelines and advisories.” Earlier guidance urged Indian citizens in Iran to leave using available commercial transport.
- Finland: Finland’s Foreign Ministry has advised citizens to avoid all travel to Iran and to leave Yemen and Libya immediately, citing the risk of regional spillover as tensions between Washington and Tehran intensify. The Embassy of Finland in the UAE advises Finnish nationals to “stay in a safe place, avoid the proximity of windows and refrain from unnecessary movement within cities.”
- Ireland: Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade advises against “all non-essential travel” to the Gulf, except Oman, for which it advises travelling with a “high degree of caution”. The Embassy of Ireland in Abu Dhabi put out a post on Monday 2 March to say a limited number of flights are leaving Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport this afternoon and “passengers stranded in transit are being prioritised and airlines are in direct contact with those eligible”. The advice for citizens in the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar remains to shelter in place.
- Germany: Germany has tightened its travel advice for the entire Middle East region. Following a meeting of the federal government’s crisis management team, Berlin issued travel warnings covering Israel, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. A travel warning has been in place for Iran since 2022. German authorities said diplomatic missions in the region are in contact with nationals and precautionary measures have been taken for staff.
- Turkey: Turkish authorities have issued a high alert for border regions with Iran. Citizens currently in Iran for tourism or business have been advised to coordinate with the Turkish embassy in Tehran regarding potential overland departure routes should flights be grounded.
- Azerbaijan: The Azerbaijani government urged its citizens to avoid any travel to Iran, citing “unpredictable security developments.” Given their shared border, Baku has also increased its military readiness, reflecting local anxiety about the conflict. Azerbaijan is expecting its Astara border to play a key role in facilitating foreign nationals leaving Iran.
- Serbia: Serbian authorities have issued a red level travel warning for the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Israel and Iran. It told its nationals in Iran to leave as soon as possible due to elevated security risks and the possibility that conditions could deteriorate further.
- Poland: Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is advising against all travel to avoid all travel to Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Palestine. Previously, Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk publicly advised Polish citizens to leave Iran immediately amid the growing regional risk environment and warned against travelling to Israel and Lebanon.
- Sweden: The Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against all non-essential travel to Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE, advising citizens already there to follow government instruction. It has maintained a warning for Swedish citizens to avoid all travel to Iran and leave immediately. Swedish officials also warned that government evacuation support may be limited for those who choose to stay.
- Cyprus: Cyprus has advised all citizens to avoid all travel to Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. There was an existing advisory in place for Iran, which advised citizens not to travel and to leave immediately if already there.
- Singapore: The Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends that citizens defer all travel to Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE, Jordan, Iraq, Israel, Egypt and Iran, emphasising caution in light of the uncertain security climate.
- Brazil: Brazil recommended that its citizens leave Iran, reflecting concerns about escalating threats. This advisory followed earlier guidance for its citizens to evacuate Lebanon earlier this year.
- Malaysia: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia has stated all “Non-essential travel to Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and the UAE should be deferred until the security situation stabilises”. All Malaysians or are travelling in or living in in these countries are urged to register and share their contact details with the nearest Malaysian Diplomatic Mission.
What travellers need to know
Travellers with upcoming plans should monitor official government travel advice pages regularly, stay in contact with airlines for any schedule changes and allow extra flexibility in itineraries where possible. Comprehensive travel insurance that covers cancellations, delays and unforeseen disruptions is also advisable, particularly given the potential for sudden airspace closures or route adjustments. Staying informed and prepared – rather than alarmed – remains the most practical approach.
This article was first published by Condé Nast Traveller Middle East.