Gulf States: Situation & Travel Update

On 28 February, Iran initiated ballistic missile and attack drone strikes targeting Israel and US military facilities and sites known to host US military personnel across the Middle East, in response to joint US and Israeli airstrikes inside Iran. The targeting pattern of Iranian strikes has evolved to increasingly include civilian-profile targets such as hotels, international airports, and critical national infrastructure. Iranian strikes have continued into 11 March.

On 11 March, a spokesman for the Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters (KACHQ, the unified command HQ of the Iranian Armed Forces) declared that US and/or Israel-linked “economic centres and banks” will now be targeted, warning that “people of the region should not be within a one-kilometre radius of banks”. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)-affiliated media released a list of offices and infrastructure linked to the US and Israel, which included companies such as Google, Microsoft, Palantir, IBM, Nvidia and Oracle. Moreover, the KACHQ stated that Iran will now move from a claimed policy of “reciprocal hits” after attacks to continuous strikes on its adversaries.

As of 11 March, there is a total closure of airspace in Kuwait and Bahrain. The UAE’s airspace has restricted access by way of Emergency Security Control of Air Traffic (ESCAT) zones. Qatar has suspended flights and closed its airspace to most commercial traffic, with only heavily limited repatriation flights permitted. Saudi Arabia’s airspace has a partial closure affecting the area bordering Iraq and the Persian Gulf. Oman’s airspace remains open, with Muscat becoming the preferred airport among airlines in the region wishing to perform relief flights. Jordan’s airspace remains open, but aircraft are advised to carry extra fuel in case of delays.

Overnight 10-11 March, Saudi Arabia’s military stated that it shot down two Iranian attack drones targeting an oil field near Shaybah in the country’s Eastern Province, and a further five east of Al Kharj. Six ballistic missiles targeting Prince Sultan Air Base in Al Kharj were also reportedly shot down. According to Iranian state media, the overnight attack drone and ballistic missile barrage targeted US bases in multiple countries, including Saudi Arabia.

There have been at least two deaths and 12 injuries from Iranian strikes in Saudi Arabia as of 05:30 UTC on 11 March 2026.

As of 11 March, Saudi Arabia’s airspace has a partial closure affecting the area bordering Iraq and the Persian Gulf; however, this does not affect commercial flights departing major Saudi airports.

Overnight 10-11 March, air defence systems intercepted eight attack drones, according to the Kuwaiti National Guard. According to the Iranian military, the most recent wave of attacks targeted the US base at Camp Arfijan with two ballistic missiles. Kuwait stated that it shot down four out of five Iranian attack drones on 10 March, with one striking “outside the threat area”.

At least six people have been killed, and dozens have been injured in Kuwait, as of 05:30 UTC on 11 March.

As of 11 March, the airspace remains closed in Kuwait.

On 11 March, explosions were heard following an air raid warning, with authorities urging citizens to seek shelter. According to Iranian state media, the recent wave of attacks targeted a “secret house affiliated with the U.S. base in the Saar area west of the capital Manama.” Air raid sirens also activated overnight 10-11 March. Bahrain’s Civil Aviation Affairs (CAA) said that several Gulf Air aircraft, operating without passengers, alongside cargo aircraft from a number of operators, have been repositioned away from Bahrain International Airport (BAH / OBBI) to Saudi Arabia to “enhance operational readiness”. This is highly likely to protect the aircraft from strikes targeting the airport.

At least two people have been killed, and dozens have been injured in Bahrain, as of 05:30 UTC on 11 March.

As of 11 March, the airspace remains closed in Bahrain.

On 11 March, Qatar issued an emergency alert, with the Defence Ministry stating that it intercepted a missile attack. Another attack was repelled in the morning, with explosions heard over Doha. Overnight on 10-11 March, another ballistic missile attack was intercepted. Qatar Airways announced a limited flight schedule to and from Doha on 13 and 14 March, dependent on the airspace reopening.

At least 16 people have been injured in Qatar, as of 05:30 UTC on 11 March.

As of 11 March, the airspace remains heavily restricted in Qatar. On 6 March, the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority announced flights would operate through “designated navigational contingency routes with limited operational capacity” in coordination with the Qatari armed forces. Qatar Airways stated that it will operate heavily limited repatriation flights from Doha Airport (DOH).

The UAE faced repeated threats from missiles and attack drones between 10 and 11 March, with authorities stating on several occasions that air defences were activated, explosions heard were from interceptions, and urging residents to shelter-in-place. In Dubai, four people were injured on the morning of 11 March, after “two drones fell in the vicinity of Dubai International Airport (DXB)”. The Dubai Media Office added that air traffic is operating as normal.

At least six people have been killed and 122 injured in the UAE, as of 05:30 UTC on 11 March.

As of 11 March, the UAE’s airspace has restricted access by way of Emergency Security Control of Air Traffic (ESCAT) zones.

Early 11 March, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre reported that a cargo vessel was hit by an unknown projectile in the Straits of Hormuz, 11NM north of Oman, resulting in a fire onboard. The crew evacuated the vessel, and injured crew members are receiving treatment in Oman. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime chokepoint which Iran is able to threaten to cause a global impact on trade. Furthermore, local Omani media reported on 11 March that an attack drone was intercepted and another crashed into the sea north of Duqm. No casualties were reported.

At least one person has been killed and five injured in Oman, as of 05:30 UTC on 11 March.

Oman is currently assessed to have a lower conflict-related risk profile compared to the neighbouring United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the Omani airspace remains open. As a result, Oman is being used by airlines and international governments as a base for repatriation flights. There is considerably elevated demand for flights running from Oman.

As of 11 March, the airspace remains open in Oman. Oman Air has confirmed the suspension of all flights to nine destinations until 15 March: Copenhagen, Dubai, Doha, Dammam, Amman, Bahrain, Kuwait City, Baghdad and Khasab.