The military escalation between Iran, the United States and Israel has reshuffled the cards for millions of travelers around the world. In just a few days, the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) revised its guidelines for over twenty countries, including not only direct conflict zones but also destinations in the Eastern Mediterranean that, until recently, seemed completely unrelated to the crisis. Over three thousand canceled flights, closed airspace, airports temporarily out of use in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Kuwait: the picture that emerges is that of a region in full turbulence, with concrete consequences also for those traveling to destinations apparently far from the front.
What is the FCDO and why its recommendations are important
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office is the British Foreign Office. Among its main functions is to provide UK citizens with up-to-date information on safety in foreign countries, through a travel recommendation system that is consulted not only by Britons, but by journalists, insurance agencies and tour operators from all over the world.
The FCDO recommendations are divided into several levels: from the simple invitation to be cautious to the explicit ban on traveling to a certain area. When a country is classified as a non-recommended area, standard insurance policies automatically lapse, and airlines and tour operators tend to suspend services to that destination. For this reason, FCDO communications provide an invaluable reference point for anyone planning a trip.
The maximum alert areas: Iran, Israel and Palestine
As regards Iran, Israel and Palestine, the FCDO is categorical and obviously advises against any travel. Those who are already in Iran are invited to seriously evaluate their stay in the country. British citizens — and particularly dual British-Iranian nationals — are considered at risk of arrest or detention. For Israel, the travel ban covers Gaza, areas within 500 meters of the border with Gaza, the governorates of Tulkarm, Jenin and Tubas in the West Bank, and areas near the border with Lebanon. For those who are already on site, the indication is to remain in safe places and follow communications from the Israeli Home Front Command.
The Persian Gulf: flights suspended and instructions to take refuge indoors
For the Gulf countries the situation is also serious, although with different nuances. The United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain are directed to avoid all non-essential travel. Those already in these countries have received explicit communication from the FCDO: stay indoors in a safe place, avoid travel and follow local authorities. Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports suffered temporary closures due to the missile attacks, with thousands of flights cancelled.
For Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Oman, Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen the invitation is to take maximum precaution, with recommendations that vary depending on the specific areas of each country. Syria remains a no-go destination regardless of the ongoing crisis.
The Eastern Mediterranean: Cyprus and Türkiye in the eye of the storm
This is where the crisis has produced the most surprising effects for European travellers. Cyprus, an island that welcomes millions of British and mainland tourists every year, came into the spotlight after the impact of a drone on the British military base of RAF Akrotiri, confirmed by the Sovereign Base Areas Administration on March 2, 2026. Easyjet and British Airways canceled dozens of flights to the island in the hours following the incident.
However, the FCDO’s official position on Cyprus is clear: travel to the island is not discouraged. The British government portal added a specific note inviting citizens in Sovereign Base Areas to follow the instructions of the military administration, and those in the Republic of Cyprus to refer to local Cypriot authorities. At the same time, the general warning already present since January reminds us that there is a high risk of regional tensions, with possible repercussions on transport and unexpected impacts. The indication is to take precautions appropriate to your situation.
For Turkey the situation is partially different. The FCDO advises against all travel to areas within 10 kilometers of the Syrian border, due to active fighting and high terrorist risk. This is a warning that pre-exists the current conflict, but which the regional escalation has made even more relevant. Added to this is a novelty related to the crisis: the FCDO has included specific instructions for those intending to cross the land border between Iran and Turkey, which remains technically open but now requires preventive facilitation from the British embassy in Ankara.
For Greece there are no specific FCDO updates related to the ongoing Middle Eastern crisis. Those planning a trip to Greece can proceed as normal, while maintaining a general focus on regional developments that may affect air links to the area.
Transport disruptions: over 3,400 flights cancelled
Even for those traveling to formally safe destinations, the crisis produces concrete effects. The closure of airspace over Iran, Iraq and parts of the Gulf has forced airlines to rework routes, resulting in cascading delays and cancellations. Many flights passing through Dubai, Doha or Tel Aviv have been canceled or significantly extended. The UK Civil Aviation Authority has published specific guidance for passengers affected by cancellations, detailing their rights under UK and European law.
Anyone who has booked a flight to these areas or with a stopover in Middle Eastern hubs is invited to check the status of their connection directly with the airline and to consult the conditions of their insurance policy, given that cancellations linked to geopolitical events do not generally give the right to fixed compensation.
How to stay updated: the FCDO portal as a real-time compass
In a rapidly changing context, relying on an official and updated source is essential. The FCDO updates its country listings in real time and offers the option to subscribe to email notifications to automatically receive updates for a specific destination. British citizens in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are also invited to register their presence on the government portal to receive direct communications.
For those traveling or working in risk areas, the FCDO’s practical advice is as follows:
The situation remains evolving. Before booking or leaving, consulting the FCDO portal is the most reliable starting point to understand what has changed and what could change in the next few hours.
The Italian response: the Farnesina and the return flights
While the British Foreign Office updated its recommendations, the Farnesina – the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation – also took action on multiple fronts to assist compatriots stranded in the area. According to data provided by Minister Antonio Tajani, there are over 70,000 Italians in the region between permanent residents and temporary presences, of which around 30,000 between Dubai and Abu Dhabi alone.
On March 2, the first charter flight departed from Muscat with 127 Italian citizens stranded in Oman or transferred from Dubai thanks to the assistance of the embassies. The Boeing 737 of the Oman Air company landed in Fiumicino in the evening of the same day.
For March 3, the Farnesina has organized a larger-scale operation:
An additional flight from Muscat has already been scheduled for March 4. Meanwhile, a bus transfer mechanism from the United Arab Emirates to Oman has been activated — with the first transfers already underway — and a similar system is being set up from Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar to Saudi Arabia.
Minister Tajani, in agreement with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has arranged for a reinforcement team made up of diplomats, carabinieri, financiers and a representative of the Civil Protection to be sent to Muscat, already operational since the morning of 3 March. The presence of carabinieri and financiers also responds to the need to combat fraud and touting on airline tickets, which are reported to be increasing during the hours of greatest pressure.
The Farnesina recommends that all Italian citizens present in the area register on the Viaggiare Sicuri app or on the website www.dovesiamonelmondo.it, channels through which operational instructions for transfers and return flights are sent. The ministry invites you to follow only official communications, avoiding unverified channels.
Official sources:
Published on March 3, 2026. The information is subject to continuous updates, therefore we recommend always checking the official portals before making any decisions regarding international travel
