Bahrain

Overview

Military and retaliatory strikes have continued between the United States and Iran, with Iranian attacks targeting a number of locations in the Middle East. The situation remains volatile. Military activity could occur or resume in a sustained way at any time, with US-linked locations continuing to remain a target of Iranian strikes. Should this happen, travel disruptions and airspace closures could occur, potentially impacting New Zealanders in Bahrain for some time. Our travel advice levels could also change at short notice. 

There remains a threat of attacks against US linked locations, and Israeli communities in the region. Avoid or limit your time near likely targets areas, including military bases, oil infrastructure, critical infrastructure like airports, power plants and sub-stations, telecommunication sites, de-salination plants, the King Fahd Causeway and other important economic targets. Locations such as US diplomatic facilities like US Embassies, US Consulates and identifiably US businesses are also likely targets.  

The security situation in the Middle East remains highly volatile, with Houthi strikes occurring on civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, including an Aramco administrative building in the city of Dhahran, close to the border with Bahrain. In light of deteriorating security situation in Saudi Arabia, we have increased our travel advisory level to ‘Do not travel (Level 4 of 4)’ and New Zealanders in Bahrain should not travel across the border into Saudi Arabia.

New Zealanders in the region should stay vigilant and monitor the media to stay informed about current events in your travel destination. 

If you are in, or planning to travel to, the Middle East, monitor local media and follow the advice of local authorities at all times, including any shelter in place orders. 

You can read more about our advice for what to do during violence or conflict here. 

There are more significant safety or security concerns than you would usually find in New Zealand because of the potential for civil unrest and the threat of terrorism. 

Demonstrations and protests are common and can result in violence. Protests are illegal and should be avoided.

Terrorist threats have included attacks on government buildings, transport, and tourist areas. 

Other things that New Zealanders travelling or living in Bahrain should be aware of are:

• Crime—watch out for petty theft
• Maritime travel—regional tensions make travelling in the Gulf area highly sensitive. There is a curfew in place in the waterways around Bahrain.

New Zealanders travelling or living in Bahrain should have a comprehensive travel insurance policy in place that includes provision for medical evacuation by air.

See below for detailed travel advice. 

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