US expands global travel advisory amid Iran tensions

In early March 2026 the United States raised its travel advisory for the United Arab Emirates and Qatar to Level 3, citing drone and missile threats and suspending non‑emergency consular services. By mid‑July the warning was extended to the Israel‑Gaza‑Egypt border area, with the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem urging cancellation of trips to northern Israel, the Gaza Strip and Egypt’s border zone and noting that the entire Egypt‑Israel border remained closed except for the Taba crossing.

On 18 July the State Department issued a worldwide travel advisory urging Americans, especially those in the Middle East and West Asia, to exercise heightened caution, monitor security alerts, avoid large gatherings and be prepared for sudden air‑traffic changes, periodic airspace closures, and possible flight cancellations. The notice referenced the collapse of a recent U.S.–Iran memorandum of understanding, heightened Iranian‑aligned threats, and an Iranian missile and drone strike on a U.S. base in Jordan that killed two service members and left a third missing, which prompted retaliatory U.S. strikes.

Airlines responded by suspending or reducing service to several regional hubs, including Dubai, Tel Aviv, Riyadh, Doha and others. Travelers were repeatedly urged to follow guidance from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate and to enroll in STEP for real‑time alerts.