Gulf States: Situation & Travel Update

On 17 May, as the US awaited a revised proposal from Tehran, US President Donald Trump stated that the “clock is ticking for Iran” and that “they are going to get hit much harder” if demanded concessions are not made. This followed the 10 May conveyance of an Iranian counterproposal, which made several maximalist demands and omitted the nuclear file, which was swiftly rejected by the Trump administration.

Later on 17 May, Pakistani mediators shared the revised Iranian proposal with the US, which was again rejected as insufficient. The revised proposal reportedly included more content on a commitment not to pursue a nuclear weapon, but still lacked detailed commitments from Iran on suspending uranium enrichment or relinquishing its stockpile of highly enriched uranium (HEU).

On 18 May, following the rejection of the revised proposals, President Trump stated that the US had planned to conduct strikes against Iran on 19 May but that this was called off following calls with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. President Trump told the media that the Arab leaders had asked him to hold off on strikes “for two or three days”.

As of 19 May, the airspaces of Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman are open. Flight restrictions were reactivated in the UAE following renewed Iranian attacks, but most scheduled flights continue to operate from Emirati airports.

On 17 May, the Saudi Ministry of Defence stated that “three drones were intercepted and destroyed after entering the Kingdom’s airspace coming from Iraqi airspace.” These are the first public claims of hostile projectiles targeting Saudi Arabia since 12 April, when Iraq’s ambassador to Riyadh was summoned due to accusations of continued attacks originating from Iraqi territory. The last major attacks targeting Saudi Arabia occurred on 8 April, prior to the implementation of the ceasefire.

It is unconfirmed where the drones were targeting. With the UAE having also been attacked from the “western border direction” on 17 May, the drones intercepted over Saudi Arabia may be linked to this attack, also targeting the UAE.

On 18 May, it was reported that Pakistan has deployed 8,000 troops, a fighter jet squadron, and an air defence system to Saudi Arabia as part of the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA). The SMDA, signed in 2025, commits both countries to treating any aggression against either as an aggression against both. Pakistan currently serves a key mediation role between the US and Iran, and the deployment of Pakistani forces will likely serve as a notable deterrence against significant Iranian attacks if there is a return to full-scale regional conflict.

At least three people have been killed and 29 injured in Saudi Arabia, as of 14:35 UTC on 5 May.

As of 19 May, Saudi Arabia’s airspace is open.

No attacks have been reported in Kuwait between 15 and 19 May.

At least seven people have been killed, and dozens have been injured in Kuwait, as of 14:35 UTC on 5 May.

As of 19 May, Kuwait’s airspace is open.

No attacks have been reported in Bahrain between 15 and 19 May.

At least three people have been killed, and dozens have been injured in Bahrain, as of 14:35 UTC on 5 May.

As of 19 May, Bahrain’s airspace is open.

No attacks have been reported in Qatar between 15 and 19 May.

At least 20 people have been injured in Qatar, as of 14:35 UTC on 5 May.

As of 19 May, Qatar’s airspace is open.

On 17 May, the UAE’s Ministry of Defence announced that “air defence systems intercepted three [attack drones] that entered the country from the western border direction”, with one attack drone striking “an electrical generator outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the Al Dhafra Region.” The statement added that investigations into the source of the attacks are ongoing.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated that it had been informed that radiation levels at the plant remain normal, with “[e]mergency diesel generators… currently providing power to the NPP’s unit 3”. The UAE’s Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) stated that “the incident did not affect the safety of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant or the readiness of its essential systems. There has been no release of radioactive material, radiological safety levels remain within normal ranges, and there is no risk to the public or the environment. No injuries have been reported.”

The attack is almost certainly an escalation in targeting patterns, with it being the first attack targeting a nuclear power plant outside of Iran since the outbreak of the current conflict on 28 February. There is a realistic possibility that a return to full-scale conflict could be marked by increased targeting of nuclear energy, particularly if US and/or Israeli strikes are again conducted against Iranian nuclear power plants.

The origin of the attack remains unconfirmed, with no actor having claimed responsibility as of 19 May. With the attack drones entering the UAE from the west, the attack may have originated from Iran-backed proxy groups such as Iraq-based Shia militias or the Yemen-based Houthis. Also on 17 May, three drones were intercepted in Saudi Arabian airspace, which authorities stated originated from Iraqi territory. The incidents may be linked, which would support an assessment that the attack originated from Iran-backed groups in Iraq. However, an attack directly from Iran cannot be ruled out, with Iran having historically conducted attacks from the western axis using attack drones launched from Iran.

At least 13 people have been killed and 230 injured in the UAE, as of 11:45 UTC on 10 May.

As of 19 May, the UAE’s airspace is open, but with aircraft restricted to using only designated routes following renewed Iranian attacks.

No attacks have been reported in Oman between 15 and 19 May.

At least three people have been killed and 18 injured in Oman, as of 14:35 UTC on 5 May.

As of 19 May, Oman’s airspace is open.