Overview
- While the risk posed by military strikes and armed conflict in the Middle East is expected to reduce following the announcement that the United States and Iran have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to end their conflict, New Zealand’s travel advisories for many countries in the Middle East warn of the risks to travellers from ongoing terrorist activity, violent crime and civil unrest. New Zealanders in the region should stay vigilant.
New Zealanders in the Middle East should:
- Know how alerts are communicated in your location (for example, sirens or mobile phone alerts).
- Sign up to receive any alerts issued by local civil defence authorities if a registration system exists in your area. Be aware that drone or missile attacks could occur without any official warning being issued.
- Know what to do – follow the advice of local authorities at all times. This includes any evacuation orders or shelter in place instructions. Monitor and subscribe to local media to stay informed of local developments.
- Know where to go if an attack occurs, including whether there are shelters in your location or nearby.
- If there are no designated shelters, immediately move inside a building and ideally to a basement or interior room away from windows.
- Shelter in place until you receive an all‑clear notification, or for at least one hour after the last attack or intercept is heard.
- No-go – know where likely targets are and avoid these locations, relocating to a safer location if they’re close by. Likely targets include military bases, oil infrastructure, critical infrastructure like airports, power plants and sub-stations, telecommunication sites, de-salination plants and US diplomatic facilities like US Embassies, US Consulates and identifiably US businesses.
- Let us know - Register your current or upcoming travel here: Register, or check your registration details here: Login
General advice
Ensure your passport is up to date and is valid for more than six months before travelling. Information on how to renew your passport is available from the Department of Internal Affairs.
Stay in contact with family and friends and keep them up to date on your location and plans.
Fuel shortages are continuing to affect global travel. For more information, please see our news item on Travel, fuel supply and security impacts of conflict in the Middle East.
New Zealand Government help
Embassies and consular officials continue to be in contact with New Zealanders registered as being in the Middle East.
If you require urgent consular assistance, please call the 24/7 consular emergency line on +64 99 20 20 20
