Countries across the Gulf are once again dealing with incoming missile and drone threats, following a “dangerous escalation” between the US and Iran. Despite promising steps towards a permanent conclusion to the conflict in recent weeks, a spate of Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz led to a number of US strikes in Iran this week, resulting in Gulf countries once again being targetted by Iranian drones and missiles.
The UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Jordan all faced threats from Iranian missile and drone fire on Sunday, prompting safety alerts to be issued across the region. The UAE sent residents the first safety alert in more than two months, although confirmed missiles were detected outside the country’s territory. In Qatar, three people – including a child – were injured afrer an Iranian strike was intercepted, while Jordan confirmed three missiles landed in its territory, but no one was injured. Oman, meanwhile, confirmed that several sites in Musandam were targetted by Iranian drones.
Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump told reporters as he arrived in Turkey ahead of the Nato summit that the ceasefire was “over”, although he added that negotiators on both sides could continue talking, with regional mediators Qatar and Pakistan ramping up diplomatic efforts.
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.
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 special advisory for families travelling during this period, warning them to ensure they arrive at the airport at least three hours before their scheduled departure time, clear security with 90 minutes to spare, and be at their gate one hour before departure time. And with many international airlines still not flying from the region, those travelling on regional airlines can expect key routes into Europe, the US and Asia to be busier than usual.
While the first tentative steps towards a permanent end to the conflict have been agreed upon, and hostilities have significantly decreased, travellers should be prepared for the situation to change at short notice.
Here’s what travellers with flights booked across the Middle East need to know right now.
