Conflict in the Middle East region continues, with military strikes and reprisal attacks across a number of locations. There remains a risk of escalation. Prioritise your safety, monitor events and follow local advice - including any warnings to take shelter or avoid locations at high risk of targeting.
Military conflict in the Middle East has caused widespread fuel supply shortages, flight cancellations and other travel disruptions worldwide. Your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East.
On this page:
- Advice for Australians in the Middle East
- Advice for travelling Australians
- Transiting the Middle East
- Widespread travel disruptions
- Global safety and security
Advice for Australians in the Middle East
If you're in the Middle East and want to leave, we continue to advise you to make plans to do so. If you can secure a flight out and it’s safe to travel to the airport, leave while commercial flights are available.
If you're in the affected areas
- Follow local warning systems. If warned of an imminent attack, move to an enclosed hardened shelter, ideally underground or close to ground level. If that isn't possible, seek an inner room without windows.
- Stay indoors in a safe place and limit your movements during strikes. If you must go out, take heightened personal security measures. Be aware of your surroundings.
- Prioritise your safety, monitor developments closely and follow local authorities’ advice.
- Listen to warnings about areas that are at high risk of targeting. Before travelling locally, check with your tour operator or local authorities to ensure your plans don't take you near any high-risk locations. These locations are not always signposted, particularly military sites. Places that have been targeted or threatened with attacks include:
- airports
- hotels
- roads
- bridges
- universities and other civilian infrastructure
- government buildings
- military sites
- energy infrastructure, including oil production facilities
- other foreign diplomatic missions and foreign interests.
- Make plans to leave if safe to do so. Stay informed about the status of land, sea and air border crossings.
- There is growing concern about the increased risk of attacks on Israeli and US interests globally, and on Jewish communities.
- Keep in contact with your family and friends. Let them know you're safe.
- Stay updated. Follow local and international media. Subscribe to Smartraveller and follow us on social media @smartraveller.
Be aware that local infrastructure, including airports, phone and internet access, may be disrupted.
Read our advice about what to do when there is armed conflict.
Consular subscriber support
If you need emergency consular assistance:
- +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas)
- 1300 555 135 (within Australia).
The security situation may impact opening hours at Australian Embassies and Consulates in the region. Officials may be working from other locations.
Find out how to contact your nearest Australian embassy or consulate by checking the Local contacts in the travel advice for your location.
Follow the social media of your nearest Australian embassy or consulate. They share key information, including changes to their opening hours.
Advice for travelling Australians
Read the travel advice for your destination and all transit points, and subscribe for free updates.
Avoid non-essential travel to countries at ‘Level 3: Reconsider your need to travel', including transit. Talk to your travel agent or airline about alternative routes. Avoid all travel to countries at ‘Level 4: Do not travel’.
Check your travel insurance policy for coverage of flight delays, cancellations and changes to travel advice levels.
While you're travelling
- Keep in touch with your travel agent, airline and travel insurance policy provider in the event of flight delays, cancellations, or increased travel advice levels.
- Monitor local and international news and be aware of current affairs where you're going.
- Prioritise your safety, monitor developments closely and follow local authorities’ advice
- Report anything suspicious to the police.
Transiting the Middle East
The situation in the Middle East is volatile. There remains a risk of attacks and escalation.
The following countries are now at ‘Level 3: Reconsider your need to travel’.
Avoid non-essential travel to these locations. If you need to transit, 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.
The following countries remain ‘Level 4: Do not travel’.
Widespread travel disruptions
Military conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt global travel. Airlines may cancel or limit flights, and some countries worldwide are introducing measures to manage fuel supply. New measures may be introduced at short notice.
If you’re travelling anywhere overseas, your plans may be impacted. There may be:
- flight and local transport disruptions
- changes in availability of food, water and medicines
- venue closures
- impacts on essential services.
Check with your airline and travel providers well before your trip to see how you might be affected. Also check if your travel insurance policy covers flight delays and cancellations.
Read the travel advice for your destination and follow developments in local media.
Global safety and security
Military conflict in the Middle East could impact safety and security globally. Protests and civil unrest may occur. The risk of terrorist attacks has increased. Be alert to possible threats, especially in public places or mass gatherings. Avoid locations that could be at higher risk of terrorist attacks, particularly around:
- places of worship
- shopping malls and markets
- public transport and transportation hubs
- bars, nightclubs, cafes and restaurants
- hotels and residential compounds
- diplomatic missions
- government facilities, police stations and locations of security forces
- universities
- festivals and concerts
- stadiums and sporting venues.
There remains concern about increased risk of attacks on Israeli and US interests globally and on Jewish communities.
Read our advice about: