Middle East security situation

Current situation

The security situation in the Middle East remains volatile and unpredictable. A ceasefire is currently in place, however tensions in the region remain high and there is an ongoing risk of further military conflict. Remain security conscious and monitor media for updates. Read our advice about keeping yourself when there is a threat of violence or conflict.

Commercial flights have resumed in Israel and are starting to become available in Iran. Transportation, particularly flights, may continue to be disrupted at short notice. Contact your travel provider about air and land transport options and availability. 

We continue to advise New Zealanders in Iran and Israel to leave now if it is safe to do so. We are providing further advice about the current situation in the Middle East here: Middle East security situation..

More information on keeping yourself safe and sheltering in place can be found on the our violence or conflict page.

Read our travel advice for Iran

Read our travel advice for Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories

Making plans to leave

With commercial flight options becoming increasingly available, we encourage New Zealanders in Iran and Israel to reach out to their airline or travel provider to discuss options for departure.

If you already have a flight booking, or credit with your airline as a result of recently cancelled flights, we strongly recommend that you make urgent contact with them to confirm your departure arrangements.

Departure by land

See below for options for exiting Israel and Iran with a valid New Zealand passport. Please note that border crossings could close without notice and any timings listed are subject to change. Check the latest public information before you travel.

Israel

Israel-Jordan border

• There is one land border crossing from Israel to Jordan that goes through the West Bank: Allenby Bridge/King Hussein near Amman, which is open during limited times.
• The northern crossing at the Jordan River/Sheikh Hussein is open from approximately 8:30 am - 2:30 pm. 
• The Southern crossing at Tizhak Rabin/Wadi Araba is open from approximately 8:00 am - 8:00 pm. 
• Check for regular opening times on Jordanian Border Crossings and also check the latest public information from local authorities in Israel and Jordan to make sure border crossings are open.
• Read more about our travel advice for Jordan here. 

Israel-Egypt border

• Menahem Begin/Taba border crossing, from southern Israel into the Sinai Peninsula, has been reported as open for 24 hours a day. 
• A charge of approximately 30 NZD has been reported for a Sinai Permit at the Taba crossing. 
• Please note you will require a visa if you wish to leave the Sinai Peninsula to other areas in Egypt. There is an international airport at Sharm el Sheikh located in the Sinai Peninsula.  
• Read more about our travel advice for Egypt here. 

Iran

Iran-Türkiye borders

• New Zealand citizens do not require a visa to cross Turkish borders. 
• The Iran-Türkiye borders at Qator/Kapıköy, Bazargan/ Gürbulak and Sero/Esendere are open 24/7.
• There are reports that these land border crossings are becoming increasingly congested. We advise against using the Gürbulak crossing as it is currently experiencing technical capacity issues.
• If you depart via Türkiye, notifying the New Zealand Embassy in Ankara of your intentions may assist with a smooth and timely crossing as the Embassy can notify Türkiye's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, it is possible to cross on a New Zealand passport without any assistance. The Embassy's contact email address can be found on the New Zealand Embassy to Türkiye page. Register your information with the New Zealand Embassy in Ankara by sending your full name, passport number, and a scan of your passport biodata page. The New Zealand Embassy in Ankara will liaise with the Turkish authorities to notify them of your intentions.
• Read more about our travel advice for Türkiye here.

Iran-Armenia border

• New Zealand citizens do not require a visa to cross the Armenian border.
• The border at Nordoz/Agarak is open.
• Read more about our travel advice for Armenia here.

Azerbaijan

• The Astara land border between Azerbaijan is currently open.
• New Zealand passport holders who wish to enter Azerbaijan via the land border must first obtain an e-visa through the official online portal here, as well as a border number. 
• To receive a border number: 

1. You must register your information with the New Zealand Embassy in Ankara by sending your full name, passport number, your e-visa for Azerbaijan, and, if possible,  a scan of your passport biodata page. The Embassy's contact email address can be found on the New Zealand Embassy to Türkiye page. Please also include a phone number and email address for the individuals seeking to transit (which will be used by the New Zealand Embassy to try to contact those individuals in Iran, upon receipt of the border number). 
2. Where New Zealand visa holders are travelling with their New Zealand citizen family members, all information for the visa holders (full name, passport number, e-visa for Azerbaijan, and a scan of passport bio page) must be submitted together and include information on the relationship with the New Zealand citizen they are travelling with.
3. The New Zealand Embassy in Ankara will then apply to the Azerbaijan authorities for the border number required for entry of the New Zealand passport holders and any eligible New Zealand visa holders accompanying them.
4. This process must be completed through the New Zealand Embassy in Ankara. All decisions on issuance of e-visas and border numbers are made by Azerbaijan authorities. Please be aware that the Azerbaijan authorities are managing the border number process and, due to volume of requests, individuals may currently need to wait between 12 - 48 hours before a border number is issued by the Azerbaijan Government. 
5. The New Zealand Embassy in Ankara will send the border number to the individuals in Iran. Please note that, due to current events, there is very poor internet and telephone connectivity in Iran, including at the Iran-Azerbaijan border. Communicating with individuals in Iran is therefore extremely challenging. Please provide multiple communication options, such as cell phone numbers and email addresses for individuals.  
6. The single-entry e-visa for Azerbaijan is valid for 30 days, and travellers are permitted to remain in the country for the full duration of that validity period.

• Read more about our travel advice for Azerbaijan here. 

Temporary closure of New Zealand Embassy Tehran

Due to the ongoing military conflict between Iran and Israel the New Zealand Embassy in Tehran will be temporarily closed from 19 June 2025 until further notice.

New Zealanders in need of consular assistance can now contact the New Zealand Embassy in Ankara, Türkiye. Contact details for the Embassy in Ankara can be found on the New Zealand Embassy to Türkiye page.

New Zealanders in need of urgent consular assistance can call the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s 24/7 emergency consular line on +64 99 20 20 20.

Travel elsewhere in the Middle East

If you are currently travelling in, or considering travel to, other countries in the region, you should read our travel advice before travelling for the latest information. To get updates to our advice while you're travelling, register your details on SafeTravel.

Conflicts in the Middle East could result in an increase in tensions elsewhere in the region. The security situation in the region could deteriorate without notice, and may continue to result in travel disruptions across the region. If you have concerns for your safety, or you're unsure about your intended travel plans, consider making alternative arrangements. New Zealanders that have had travel disrupted should contact their airline or travel agent. All New Zealanders in the region are encouraged to register their details with SafeTravel to stay up-to-date with the latest advice.

Monitor the media to stay informed about current events in your travel destination.

All New Zealanders travelling overseas should take out comprehensive travel insurance.

Demonstrations and unrest

Demonstrations and unrest linked to the situation in the Middle East are occurring in countries worldwide. If you're travelling overseas, it's important to be aware of your surroundings and follow the instructions of the local authorities. Monitor local and international media for information about possible safety or security risks.

The Government respects the right of New Zealanders to engage in peaceful protests. New Zealanders also need to respect the laws of the country they are in. The reality is that some governments place more rules around protest activity than New Zealand.

New Zealanders should also be aware that protest actions may be contrary to visa conditions in some countries. In some countries, demonstrations without prior approval by authorities are unlawful.

Consular assistance

If you require urgent consular assistance, please contact the New Zealand 24/7 Consular Emergency Line on +64 99 20 20 20.