Gulf States: Situation & Travel Update

On 21 April, US Vice President JD Vance’s trip to Islamabad, Pakistan, was put on hold after Iran refused to send a delegation to the negotiations. US President Donald Trump subsequently stated that he would unilaterally extend the temporary two-week ceasefire agreement that was reached between the US and Iran. No exact timeframe was originally provided for the extension, with the Trump administration framing it as “indefinite” while negotiations remain ongoing. However, US officials briefed on 22 April that the extension is expected to last only three to five days.

As of 24 April, it remains unclear whether further potential talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, between the US and Iran, which could formalise the ceasefire, will go ahead.

Iranian forces have continued attacking vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, and the US has continued to enforce its “blockade” of the Strait against Iranian-linked vessels. The unilaterally extended ceasefire remains highly fragile due to continued disputes in the Strait of Hormuz. On 23 April, US President Donald Trump announced that he had “ordered the United States Navy to shoot and kill any boat, small boats though they may be… that is putting mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz.”

As of 24 April, the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group (CSG) is deployed in the Red Sea, and the USS Abraham Lincoln CSG remains in the Arabian Sea. The USS George H.W. Bush CSG entered the US Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility (AoR) on 23 April, transiting past eastern Africa. Depending on transit speed, the Bush CSG is anticipated to be on station within two to four days.  

On 22 April, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)-linked media outlet Fars News Agency published a list of threatened targets in the Gulf States if their “geography and facilities are used” in attacks against Iran. These included specific oil and gas facilities in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE.

As of 24 April, Kuwaiti airspace has been opened following an announcement by the authorities. Bahrain, UAE, and Qatar’s airspaces are open, although carriers must adhere to strict procedures. Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Oman’s airspaces remain fully open.

No attacks have been reported in Saudi Arabia between 21 and 24 April.

On 22 April, IRGC-linked media reported that the commander of the IRGC’s Aerospace Force warned that oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, including Ghawar and Abqaiq, may be targeted if the country’s territory is used to launch attacks towards Iran.

At least three people have been killed and 29 injured in Saudi Arabia, as of 08:30 UTC on 21 April.

As of 24 April, Saudi Arabia’s airspace is open.

No attacks have been reported in Kuwait between 21 and 24 April. The Ministry of Interior announced the reinstatement of permission to hold social activities, including weddings, parties, and theatrical performances, from 24 April.

On 22 April, IRGC-linked media reported that the commander of the IRGC’s Aerospace Force warned that oil facilities in Kuwait, including Burgan, Mina Abdullah, and Mina Al-Ahmadi, may be targeted if the country’s territory is used to launch attacks towards Iran.

At least seven people have been killed, and dozens have been injured in Kuwait, as of 08:30 UTC on 21 April.

On 23 April, Director of the Public Authority of Civil Aviation of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Humoud Mubarak Humoud Al-Jaber Al-Sabah announced that the airspace would re-open, starting from the evening of 23 April.

No attacks have been reported in Bahrain between 21 and 24 April.

On 22 April, IRGC-linked media reported that the commander of the IRGC’s Aerospace Force warned that oil facilities in Bahrain, including Abu Safa oil field and the Sitra Refinery, may be targeted if the country’s territory is used to launch attacks towards Iran.

At least three people have been killed, and dozens have been injured in Bahrain, as of 08:30 UTC on 21 April.

As of 24 April, Bahrain’s airspace is open. However, there is still a high rate of flight cancellations. Confirm your flight with your airline before going to the airport; services are limited and can change at short notice.

No attacks have been reported in Qatar between 21 and 24 April.

On 22 April, IRGC-linked media reported that the commander of the IRGC’s Aerospace Force warned that oil facilities in Qatar, including Ras Laffan Complex, may be targeted if the country’s territory is used to launch attacks towards Iran.

At least 20 people have been injured in Qatar, as of 08:30 UTC on 21 April.

As of 24 April, while the airspace is unused by almost all commercial carriers, Qatar Airways flights continue to operate several international routes with special permission. The Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) confirmed that international carriers are expected to resume flights to and from Doha Hamad International Airport (HIA/OTHH) in the near future.

No attacks have been reported in the UAE between 21 and 24 April.

On 22 April, IRGC-linked media reported that the commander of the IRGC’s Aerospace Force warned that oil facilities in the UAE, including Upper Zakum oil fields to Ruwais, and Habshan may be targeted if the country’s territory is used to launch attacks towards Iran.

At least 12 people have been killed and 224 injured in the UAE, as of 08:30 UTC on 21 April.

As of 24 April, the UAE’s airspace is open, although carriers must adhere to strict procedures.

No attacks have been reported in Oman between 21 and 24 April.

At least three people have been killed and 15 injured in Oman, as of 08:30 UTC on 21 April.

As of 24 April, the airspace remains open in Oman.