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The Australian government has sent fresh warnings for travellers to the Middle East, amid fears regional instability could spread as Iran’s leadership grapples with its most serious domestic unrest in years.
The advice came as Iran temporarily closed its airspace to all flights except international ones to and from Iran with official permission, according to a notice posted on the Federal Aviation Administration’s website.
The closure lasted around five hours before Iran reopened its airspace.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) issued updated travel advice on Thursday via its Smartraveller platform for people in or heading to the region, warning of the risk posed by missiles and drones launched from neighbouring countries.
Official advice for people in Iran remains to leave as soon as possible if it’s safe to do so.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has issued a warning about the potential for widespread civil unrest, including demonstrations and protests, in countries near Iran. This unrest could pose an increased risk to foreign nationals in the region.

The unrest, driven by dire economic conditions and swiftly widening into demands for political change, represents the most significant internal challenge to Iran’s rulers in at least three years and comes amid intensifying international pressure following Israeli and the United States strikes last year.

As a result of the evolving security situation, the travel advisory for Qatar and Oman has been elevated to “exercise a high degree of caution.”

DFAT issued updated warnings advising travellers to exercise a high degree of caution or avoid travel altogether to the following places: Iraq, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, Yemen, Lebanon, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, Oman, Syria, Qatar, Lebanon, Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.
Australians are being told “do not travel” to Iraq, Yemen, Syria or the occupied Palestinian territories, “reconsider your need to travel” to Lebanon and Israel, and to “exercise a high degree of caution” regarding the other states.

There are ongoing concerns about the threat of terrorism in certain areas, which travelers should remain vigilant about.

“The security situation in the Middle East is unpredictable,” the Thursday update states.
“Conflicts in the Middle East could lead to in an increase in tensions elsewhere in the region and may result in airspace closures, flight cancellations and other travel disruptions. Prioritise your safety, monitor events and follow local advice.”

In response to the heightened tensions, Germany’s Lufthansa airline announced on Wednesday that it would be rerouting its flights to avoid Iranian and Iraqi airspace “until further notice.”

Airlines to ‘bypass’ Middle East

Germany’s Lufthansa airline said on Wednesday its flights would avoid Iranian and Iraqi airspace “until further notice”.

The group, which includes Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Discover, Eurowings, Swiss and ITA Airways, said in a statement it was bypassing the airspace “due to the current situation in the Middle East”.
Lufthansa said it would operate its routes to Israel and Jordan as daytime flights from Thursday to Monday next week, with its crews not having an overnight stay, and that other flights would be cancelled.
Air India said flights over the region had been rerouted or cancelled and warned this could cause delays.
— With additional reporting by Agence France-Presse

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