The Australian government has sent new warnings to travelers to the Middle East amid fears regional instability could spread as Iran’s leadership grapples with its worst domestic unrest in years.
The advice came as Iran has temporarily closed its airspace to all flights except international flights to and from Iran, with official permission, according to a notice on the Federal Aviation Administration website.
The closure lasted about five hours before Iran reopened its airspace.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) on Thursday issued an updated travel advisory through its Smartraveller platform for people in or heading to the region, warning of the risk of missiles and drones launched from neighboring countries.
The official advice for people in Iran remains to leave as soon as possible if it is safe to do so.
DFAT also warned that widespread civil unrest, including demonstrations and protests, could break out in countries near Iran, increasing the danger to foreigners.
The unrest, sparked by poor economic conditions and quickly expanding to demands for political change, represents the biggest internal challenge for Iran’s rulers in at least three years and comes amid mounting international pressure after attacks by Israel and the United States last year.
Where are the travel warnings?
DFAT has issued updated warnings advising travelers to exercise extreme caution or not travel at all to the following places: Iraq, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, Yemen, Lebanon, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, Oman, Syria, Qatar, Lebanon, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Australians are being told “not to travel” to Iraq, Yemen, Syria or the occupied Palestinian territories, “reconsider your need to travel” to Lebanon and Israel, and to “exercise a high degree of caution” towards the other states.
The advice to Qatar and Oman was escalated to “exercise a high degree of caution” due to the security situation in the region.
“The security situation in the Middle East is unpredictable,” Thursday’s update said.
“Conflicts in the Middle East could lead to an increase in tensions elsewhere in the region and could result in airspace closures, flight cancellations and other travel disruptions. Prioritize your safety, monitor events and follow local advice.”
Some regions continually warn of the threat of terrorism.
Airlines to ‘bypass’ the Middle East
German airline Lufthansa said on Wednesday that its flights would avoid Iranian and Iraqi airspace “until further notice”.
The group, which includes Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Discover, Eurowings, Swiss and ITA Airways, said in a statement that it was bypassing the airspace “due to the current situation in the Middle East.”
Lufthansa said it would operate its routes to Israel and Jordan as daytime flights from Thursday to Monday next week, with crews not having an overnight stay, and that other flights would be cancelled.
Air India said flights over the region had been diverted or canceled and warned this could cause delays.
— With additional reporting by Agence France-Presse
#Warnings #Australian #travelers #Middle #East #Iran #reopens #airspace