Thanks to our readers for their well wishes for Tom and the positive response to yesterday’s post. See here.
Today, we can’t help but feel we must address travel during these challenging times.
Travel advice as of June 2025: Amid the escalating Israel–Iran–U.S. crisis, governments and airlines strongly advise against travel to most of the Middle East.
Government Warnings
- U.S. Department of State has issued a Worldwide Caution and Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory for Israel, Gaza, the West Bank, Iran, Lebanon, Iraq, and Jordan due to war, terrorism, and civil unrest
- Other countries (e.g., Australia, UK) have similarly updated travel advisories to “do not travel” for conflict zones like Israel, Iran, Palestine territories, Iraq, and parts of Lebanon .
Travel Disruptions
- Many Middle Eastern airspaces remain closed, including Iran, Israel, Iraq, and parts of Jordan and Syria. Major carriers like Emirates, Etihad, Flydubai, Air Arabia, Qatar Airways, British Airways, and even Qantas are rerouting or canceling flights.
- Airports such as Ben Gurion in Israel and Tehran’s Khomeini/Mehrabad are grounded or closed, stranding tens of thousands of travelers.
These little birds are eating seeds that a kudu tipped off the feeder.
Regional & Global Risks
- Ongoing missile and drone attacks—with attacks targeting civilian areas—in Israel and Iran increase the risk of sudden escalations.
- Threats to U.S. citizens abroad, including protests, cyberattacks, and extremist activity, have triggered global alerts .
- The Strait of Hormuz remains a concern, with implications for oil prices and shipping routes.
- This bird appears to be an oxpecker.
What Travelers Should Do
Postpone non-essential travel to the region. If already there:
- Stay registered with your embassy (e.g., the U.S. STEP program, the Australian Smartraveller).
- Avoid airports, protests, public gatherings, and border crossings.
- Prepare an emergency exit route (overland routes through Turkey, Armenia, Jordan).
- Monitor official government and airline updates constantly.
Traveling in—or through—the Middle East right now is extremely risky. Most governments officially advise against all travel, and airline and airport closures are widespread. Unless you have a critical reason to be there (e.g., urgent work, personal emergency) and a flexible exit strategy in place, it’s best to stay home or postpone until the situation stabilizes.
Photo from ten years ago today, June 23, 2015:
