Ongoing security situation in the Gulf and Middle East
Last updated: 31 March 2026
Current travel advice
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade continues to closely monitor the security situation in the Gulf and Middle East region. We are continuing to offer consular assistance through our Consular Crisis Team and Embassies across the region.
Citizens are advised against all travel to Israel, Iraq, Iran, and Lebanon.
Citizens are also strongly advised against non-essential travel to Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
For Irish citizens in affected areas in the Gulf and Middle East region, our advice remains:
- Monitor developments and local media
- Avoid unnecessary journeys
- Follow the directions of the local authorities, particularly when the advice is to shelter in place
- Avoid military and security force installations
- While airspace operations remain limited, it is currently possible to leave some countries of the region - notably UAE and Qatar - via commercial flights to Dublin and other European capitals
- Transit through airports for onward travel is currently limited and may be subject to change at short notice. Citizens in transit should remain airside, and not leave the airport
- For information on flight cancellations and/or airspace closures, contact your airline or travel agency directly for the latest updates
- Actively monitor advice issued on social media by your local Irish Embassy
- Follow our Department of Foreign Affairs X (@dfatirl) and Instagram (@irishforeignministry) accounts for updates
- Check our official travel advice at ireland.ie/travelwise
- Register your details with the Department via our Citizens Registration facility
- For information on travel insurance implications, contact your insurance company directly. Insurance Ireland has also published a page on Travel Insurance FAQs for impacted individuals
Irish citizens in Ireland
Irish citizens in Ireland with queries or concerns can contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Consular Crisis Team in Dublin at +353 1 408 2000.
Irish citizens in the region
Irish citizens in the Gulf and Middle East region should contact their local Embassy or Representative Office:
- Embassy of Ireland, UAE (accredited to Kuwait and Qatar)
- Embassy of Ireland, Saudi Arabia (accredited to Bahrain and Oman)
- Embassy of Ireland, Israel
- Embassy of Ireland, Iran
- Embassy of Ireland, Jordan (accredited to Iraq)
- Embassy of Ireland, Egypt (accredited to Lebanon, Syria)
- Embassy of Ireland, Cyprus
- Representative Office of Ireland, Ramallah, Palestine
Country specific travel advice
Irish citizens can find our official, up-to-date travel advice for affected countries in the region at these links:
- Travel advice for UAE
- Travel advice for Saudi Arabia
- Travel advice for Qatar
- Travel advice for Kuwait
- Travel advice for Bahrain
- Travel advice for Iran
- Travel advice for Israel
- Travel advice for Palestine
- Travel advice for Lebanon
- Travel advice for Jordan
- Travel advice for Oman
- Travel advice for Egypt
- Travel advice for Iraq
- Travel advice for Syria
- Travel advice for Cyprus