Middle East security situation

Overview

The situation in the Middle East remains unpredictable with military strikes and reprisal attacks occurring in a number of locations. In the last 24 hours, US strikes have been reported across Iran, including in Tabriz, Bushehr, Jask, Sirik, Konarak, Chabahar, Mahshahr and Bandar. Iran has targeted US military and other interests across the region and attacked or warned of attacks on civilian infrastructure including airports and water facilities. 

Military conflict could further escalate in the coming days. If the security situation deteriorates further, travel disruptions and airspace closures may occur. New Zealanders travelling through the Middle East transit hubs could become stranded for extended periods. You should consult your travel insurance provider to understand your policy conditions, including if government travel advisory or war exceptions could potentially void your coverage.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued advice to air operators to avoid Gulf airspace until at least 29 July 2026. Check with your travel provider to confirm if your flights are affected. 

As at 20 July 2026, we now advise against all non-essential travel (Level 3) to the following destinations:

• Bahrain
• Jordan
• Kuwait
• Oman
• Qatar
• United Arab Emirates

New Zealanders in these locations should closely monitor media for reporting of potential targets in the region and warnings issued by local authorities.

For those travelling, we strongly advise New Zealanders to avoid the Middle East and consider other travel routes. If you need to transit these locations, stay as short a time as possible and avoid unnecessary activities. Airspace may close at short notice. Flights can change or stop suddenly. Borders can close.

As at 20 July 2026, the following destinations hold our highest advisory levels at Level 4 - do not travel:

• Iran
• Iraq
• Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories
• Lebanon
• Syria
• Yemen

New Zealanders should avoid all travel to these areas. If you are in these locations, you should leave if it is safe and possible to do so. If you are unable to leave you should prioritise your safety, monitor local media and events, and follow the advice of local authorities at all times, including any shelter in place orders. You can read more about our advice for what to do during violence or conflict here. 

Our advisory levels could change again at short notice. Read more about our travel advice levels here.

What to do to prepare for and during a missile or drone attack:

• Know how alerts are communicated in your location (for example, sirens or mobile phone alerts).
  • Sign up and monitor local media to stay informed of local developments. Sign up to alerts issued by local civil defence authorities, if a registration system exists in your area. Be aware that drone or missile attacks could occur without any official warning being issued. 
• Know what to do. Follow the advice of local authorities at all times. This includes any evacuation orders or shelter in place instructions. 
• Be prepared: 
  • Know where likely targets are and avoid these locations, relocating to a safer location if they’re close by. Likely targets include military bases, oil infrastructure, critical infrastructure like airports, power plants and sub-stations, telecommunication sites, de-salination plants and US diplomatic facilities like US Embassies, US Consulates and identifiably US businesses.  
  • Register your current or upcoming travel here: Register, or check your registration details here: Login
  • Ensure you have enough bottled water, and supplies like torches and batteries. 
  • Make sure you have a sufficient supply of any daily medicines you may be taking.
  • Stay in contact with family and friends and keep them up to date on your location and plans.
  • Ensure your passport is up to date and is valid for more than six months before travelling. Information on how to renew your passport is available from the Department of Internal Affairs.   
  • Read our advice on Violence or conflict.  
• Know where to go if an attack occurs, including whether there are shelters in your location or nearby.
  • If there are no designated shelters, immediately move inside a building and ideally to a basement or interior room away from windows. Talk to your residence or hotel, to confirm the best place to shelter in place where you are, should that be necessary.
  • Shelter in place until you receive an all‑clear notification, or for at least one hour after the last attack or intercept is heard.

Fuel shortages  

Fuel shortages are continuing to affect global travel. For more information, please see our news item on Travel, fuel supply and security impacts of conflict in the Middle East. 

New Zealand Government help

Embassies and consular officials continue to be in contact with New Zealanders registered as being in the Middle East. 

If you require urgent consular assistance, please call the 24/7 consular emergency line on +64 99 20 20 20