Irish citizens have been urged not to travel to the Gulf region until further notice after major airlines suspended flights following military strikes on Iran.
US President Donald Trump and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that strikes on Iran had begun, with smoke reported over parts of Tehran and Doha. Iran has vowed to respond decisively.
Airlines suspend services
Airlines including Air France, Lufthansa, British Airways, Turkish Airlines, SWISS and Air India have either cancelled or suspended flights to parts of the Middle East.
Iran, Iraq, Israel, Syria, Kuwait and the UAE announced partial airspace closures as tensions escalated.
Embassy warning
The Embassy of Ireland in Riyadh, which also covers Bahrain, Oman and Yemen, advised Irish citizens in Bahrain to shelter in place and avoid unnecessary travel.
In a public advisory, the embassy said Irish citizens should not travel to the Gulf region given the deteriorating security situation. Citizens have also been urged to avoid military and security installations.
Emergency contact numbers and registration details have been circulated for Irish nationals in the affected countries.
EU response
The European Union said it was withdrawing non-essential personnel from the region. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described the situation as “perilous” and confirmed that consular networks are assisting EU citizens wishing to leave.
Political reaction
Irish MEP Barry Andrews and Labour foreign affairs spokesperson Duncan Smith condemned the attack, calling for de-escalation.
Authorities continue to monitor developments as regional tensions remain high and further disruptions to travel are expected.