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The security situation in the Middle East continues to deteriorate rapidlyforcing the U.S. State Department to dramatically escalate its warnings to American travelers. On Monday March 9, 2026a new wave of twelve urgent security alerts was issued by US embassies across the region.
This latest update paints a dire picture of the reality on the ground. Airspace closures are spreading, land borders are becoming the only viable escape routes for thousands of stranded tourists, and for the first time in this conflict, the crisis has reached Turkey.
If you or your loved ones are currently in the region, the operational window for safe departure is closing. Here you will find the exact overview of the twelve new alerts, the status of commercial aviation and the immediate steps travelers should take today.
The new high-risk evacuation zone
The most significant escalation in the March 9 update is the inclusion of Türkiye, indicating a massive geographic expansion of the threat area.
- Turkey: The State Department has officially ordered the immediate departure of all non-emergency U.S. government officials from the U.S. Consulate General in Adana. Citing serious security risks and the active threat of Iranian missile attacks, all Americans in southeastern Türkiye are strongly encouraged to evacuate the area immediately. The Adana Consulate has completely suspended all services. This is a rapidly developing, high-risk zone, and travelers should not wait for further deterioration before heading west or leaving the country completely.
The Traveler Safety Index score has dropped to 46 in the last 24 hours after publication.
The ‘No Flight’ zones: complete closure of the airspace
In countries where commercial aviation has been completely grounded, the State Department strongly advises citizens to use land border crossings as long as they remain viable.
- Iraq (Baghdad and Erbil): A strict, full shelter-in-place order remains in effect. Commercial flights have been completely suspended. The US Embassy in Baghdad and the Consulate General in Erbil have been effectively locked down due to ongoing riots and serious threats. Travelers are strictly advised not to approach diplomatic facilities. Overland routes to Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye are currently open, but remain subject to sudden, unannounced closures.
- Iran: Shelter-in-place is highly recommended. Commercial flights have been completely suspended. While the Armenian land border and the Turkish land border are open (the latter requires a 60-day valid U.S. passport and advance notice), the embassy has issued a stark warning: dual U.S.-Iranian citizens face enormous risk of interrogation, arrest, and lengthy detention if they attempt to flee.
- Kuwait: Commercial flights remain completely suspended due to the active threat of incoming missiles and UAVs. The embassy recommends an on-site protocol. Overland routes to Saudi Arabia are operational. Expats with specific visas must obtain an automated exit permit via the Sahel app before attempting to cross the border.
- Bahrain (Manama): A full shelter-in-place directive has been issued. Americans are advised to stay inside secured buildings and away from windows. The embassy has explicitly warned citizens against filming or photographing military or police installations. All routine consular services have been suspended.
The limited aviation hubs
Airports in these countries are open, but under extreme restrictions. Do not travel to these airports without a confirmed, verified ticket.
- United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi and Dubai): A full shelter-in-place order is active. The American mission has instructed citizens to stay indoors and explicitly not to approach the embassy or consulate. Access to Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports is now strictly limited to travelers with confirmed tickets. Overland flight routes to Oman and Saudi Arabia are open, but experiencing massive, crippling traffic jams.
The Traveler Safety Index, which measures the real-time sentiment of travelers on site, has fallen to 41 at the time of publication.
- Israel, the West Bank and Gaza: An on-site notification remains active. Ben Gurion Airport has managed to maintain limited commercial flights via El Al, Israir, Arkia and Air Haifa, in addition to limited assistance flights from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The land crossing from Taba to Egypt is open 24/7 and the US Embassy is currently offering bus service to Taba for Americans in need of emergency assistance.
Israel now has one of the lowest Traveler Safety Index scores in the world, with only 26 percent of travelers feeling safe in the country, based on a high reliability score.
Qatar’s Travelers Safety Index score also shows a downward spiral, with only 41 percent of travelers feeling safe.
- Lebanon (Beirut): On-site lodging is recommended if you are not actively leaving. Middle East Airlines (MEA) continues to operate flights from Beirut. While routine services have been halted, the embassy has resumed limited emergency passport services for those who have lost travel documents.
Two new travel advisories issued by the US Department of State
Turkey (level 2): Despite maintaining a Level 2 advisory, the State Department ordered the evacuation of non-emergency personnel from Adana Consulate due to Iranian missile threats and designated 22 southeastern provinces as ‘Do Not Travel’ zones. The advisory confirms that NATO air defenses intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile heading into Turkish airspace on March 4. Americans in southeastern Turkey are being urged to leave immediately, and Consulate Adana has suspended all services – travelers should now contact the Ankara Embassy or the Istanbul Consulate for assistance.
Saudi Arabia (level 3): The State Department tightened its guidelines on March 8, ordering all non-emergency U.S. government officials to depart — a significant escalation from the previous language of “authorized to depart.” The advisory now explicitly warns of Iranian drone and missile attacks on US interests, advises against approaching US embassies or consulates, and notes that all consular services have been suspended. Commercial flights continue to operate from Riyadh, Jeddah and Dhahran, with occasional airspace breaks.
The operational corridors
These three countries maintain relatively normal commercial flight operations and serve as major evacuation hubs for the broader region.
- Saudi Arabia (Riyadh and Dhahran): Operating under a modified shelter-in-place. Commercial flights are actively flying from Riyadh, Jeddah and Dhahran, although travelers should expect significant cancellations and delays. Non-emergency U.S. government employees have been ordered to leave due to continued missile and drone threats, and Americans are advised to avoid the U.S. embassy and consulate.
- Jordan (Amman): Commercial flights depart from Queen Alia International Airport. Multiple land borders with Israel, Syria and Saudi Arabia remain open, as do ferry services to Egypt. The embassy warns that Iran has previously targeted civilian locations, including hotels and airports, across the region.
- Oman (Muscat): A localized on-site protocol remains active in the vicinity of Duqm and Salalah. Oman remains an essential overland destination for travelers escaping the UAE.
Travelers actively stranded in the Middle East should prioritize situational awareness. Register immediately with the State Department’s Crisis Intake Form if you require evacuation assistance, and never attempt to travel to a closed U.S. embassy for assistance.
You can view the latest U.S. Embassy security alerts for your destination on the website Traveler dashboard.
You can read the two new travel advisories here the US Department of State.
