Middle East Crisis: Travel Risk & Security Update

International SOS advises:

• Defer all inbound travel to Iran until further notice. Foreign nationals and foreign business travellers currently in Iran should depart via available options.
• Defer all inbound travel to Israel and the Palestinian Territories amid heightened regional tensions.
• Business-critical travel to, transit through Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) may be possible accounting for a credible risk of rapid resumption of hostilities, related airspace closures, flight cancellations and disruption. Closely monitor regional developments, maintain flexible itineraries.
• Travel to and transit through Cyprus can continue with standard security precautions. Nonetheless, continued monitoring of Middle East regional hostilities is advised due to potential spillover risks.
• Travel to and transit through Egypt can continue with standard security precautions. Nonetheless, continued monitoring of Middle East regional hostilities is advised due to potential spillover risks.
• Defer all travel to Lebanon until further notice amid intensification of Israeli air campaigns, ground operations in the south, and broader regional instability. People in Lebanon should evacuate using commercial options while they are available.
• Travel to Azerbaijan can proceed with increased levels of caution and readiness due to regional hostilities.
• Travel to and transit through Türkiye can continue with standard security precautions.
• Defer all travel to Yemen until further notice.

Iran: We advise departing Iran if it is safe to do so and travel options are available.

Israel & Palestinian Territories: We currently advise non-essential workforce in Israel and the Palestinian Territories to depart if feasible. Managers should assess all remaining workforce in-country regarding the requirement to remain in location. Keep in-location workforce limited for essential purposes and consider the departure of non-essential foreign workforce.

Other countries in the region: For people in all other countries in the region, we do not assess that a departure or evacuation is necessary at this stage.
We understand that risk appetite and comfort levels will differ depending on the industry, type of organization, etc., as well as individual profile and experience, thus if you/your organization decide that a departure/evacuation is the best option, we recommend to follow local official directives, avoid US and Israeli military and diplomatic sites, and where possible take advantage of reopening of airspace and resumption of commercial flights to depart.

International SOS advises:

• Be ready to shelter in place in the event of resumption of aerial attacks.
• Follow all official directives and guidance, including any local emergency and evacuation procedures, movement restrictions, curfews and road closures.
• Account for flight disruption, as well as potential short-notice airspace closures across the region in the event of an escalation.
• Israeli and US nationals in countries across the Middle East and North Africa should exercise caution and maintain a low profile amid heightened tensions.  
• Minimize time spent in the vicinity of US military and diplomatic facilities, as well as Israeli diplomatic missions, across the region as a precaution. 
• Remain informed of the latest developments via verified sources, including International SOS alerts, diplomatic missions and local contacts. Do not act on unverified information.  
• Do not post or share unverified information on social media.
• From a healthcare perspective, reconfirm any medical care that is scheduled in the coming days. Check supply of any chronic medications and plan for prescription refill considering potential travel related delays.

Conflict is widely recognized as a major public health threat, disrupting essential services and weakening health systems. It also creates conditions that drive injury, disease and can take a toll on mental health.

Civilians in conflict-affected areas face extreme uncertainty, exposure to violence and loss, all of which substantially increase the risk of anxiety, depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). We recommend managers address the following:

• Prioritise mental health as a core duty of care.
• Communicate clearly, calmly and credibly.
• Build flexibility into people and operations management.
• Access to healthcare and essential support.
• Identify vulnerable groups among your workforce who may be disproportionately impacted.
• Prepare for prolonged, not short‑term, effects.

International SOS provides 24/7 medical and security assistance, real-time travel alerts, evacuation coordination, and access to vetted local resources.

Backed by dedicated personnel on the ground across the region and an extensive network of trusted regional security partners, we are actively supporting evacuations and secure movements across multiple countries. Members can reach our Assistance Centers at any time and stay up to date with our crisis updates and alerts via the Assistance App or Portal.

Subscribe to International SOS alerts for the latest developments across the Middle East. Consult the Assistance App or Portal to access up-to-date travel advisories, security briefings, and emergency guidance.