Urgent travel warning issued for the Middle East.

Many countries simultaneously raised their travel advisories for the Middle East starting February 28, noting the risk of flight disruptions and recommending travel restrictions.

People run for shelter after a loud explosion, as Israel announced a preemptive strike against Iran in Tehran on February 28. Photo: Reuters .

Security tensions in the Middle East escalated rapidly from the morning of February 28 (local time), after diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation failed to yield the expected results.

This development immediately triggered a series of updated travel advisories across a wide area, according to CN Traveler.

One of the immediate changes directly impacting travelers is the closure of many airspaces in the Middle East. For passengers, this means a higher risk of flight delays, cancellations, or diversions, especially for itineraries with connecting flights through the Middle East. In this region, airports in Dubai or Abu Dhabi (UAE) are often chosen for connecting flights on long-haul global routes.

In Europe, the British government urged citizens in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to “shelter in place,” staying indoors in a safe location, avoiding travel, and following local authorities’ instructions. Similar warnings were issued to British citizens in Qatar and Bahrain, and the UK advised against traveling to Israel.

Iranian protesters demonstrate against US and Israeli airstrikes in Tehran, Iran. Photo: Reuters.

The Netherlands has raised its alert level, advising citizens in Israel and Iran to closely monitor flight status and proactively depart if commercial transport options are still available.

Safety advisories have also been tightened in many other European countries. Finland has advised citizens to avoid all travel to Iran and to leave Yemen and Libya immediately due to the risk of escalating regional tensions.

Germany issued updated guidance for citizens in Israel and Lebanon, urging them to stock up on water, food, and medicine, and to familiarize themselves with the location of the nearest shelters; Berlin also noted that support from embassies could be “extremely limited” in the event of airspace closures.

In North America, the US urged citizens in the UAE, Doha, and Bahrain to “stay put,” monitor the media for urgent updates, and prepare to adjust their plans.

Canada has raised its security alert for several areas in the region, placing the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain on a "high alert" level. Earlier, the capital Ottawa issued a travel advisory against Lebanon unless absolutely necessary, and urged Canadians in Iran to "leave immediately if they can do so safely."

Canada also stressed the importance of ensuring up-to-date travel documents and stocking up on essential supplies in case of needing to shelter in place if commercial flights are suspended. Brazil advised its citizens to leave Iran, expressing concern about the risk of escalation in the region.

In the Asia-Pacific region, Australia advised its citizens in Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE to "stay put" and to consider leaving Israel and Lebanon.

India has issued an updated notice to its citizens in the UAE, urging them to avoid unnecessary travel, exercise extreme caution, and follow safety guidelines. Earlier, the Indian Embassy in Tehran urged citizens in Iran to leave the country using available means of transport, including commercial flights.

Singapore continues to advise against all travel to Iran, emphasizing the need for caution amid security uncertainties.

Several geographically sensitive countries have also raised their alert levels. Turkey issued a high-level alert for border areas with Iran and advised citizens currently in Iran to contact the embassy in Tehran to find out about possible land routes if flights are cancelled.

Residents take shelter at a subway station in Ramat Gan, Israel, during a missile attack from Iran on February 28. Photo: TIMES OF ISRAEL.

Azerbaijan has urged its citizens to avoid all travel to Iran, citing “unpredictable security developments,” while also increasing its level of preparedness due to their shared border.

Serbia urged its citizens to leave Iran as soon as possible, while Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk publicly advised people to leave Iran immediately.

Sweden maintains its advisory to avoid all travel to Iran and to leave immediately, while warning that evacuation assistance may be limited.

Cyprus continues to advise its citizens to avoid travel to Iran and leave the country immediately; Brazil maintains a similar cautious stance.

Regarding Vietnam , the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises Vietnamese citizens not to travel to Iran and Israel at this time, and to avoid traveling to neighboring areas affected by the conflict unless absolutely necessary.

Vietnamese citizens residing and working in Iran, Israel, and related regions are advised to maintain regular contact with Vietnamese diplomatic missions, closely monitor official announcements, comply with local authorities' regulations on travel, and strictly adhere to the recommendations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The scene of devastation at the Iranian girls' school hit by airstrike: CNN, citing figures released by the Mehr news agency on the afternoon of February 28, reported that at least 57 people were killed in an airstrike carried out by Israel and the US targeting a girls' school in the city of Minab, Hormozgan province, southern Iran.

Source: https://znews.vn/canh-bao-du-lich-khan-den-trung-dong-post1631282.html