October 24, 2026 — The US State Department refreshed its travel advisories for 13 Middle Eastern countries on October 23. It warned that Houthi drone and missile attacks on Saudi Arabia, including on civilian airports, could spread beyond the area currently being hit. None of the advisory pages we were able to open changed level. The wording now puts more weight on the risk of armed attacks by the Iranian-supported Houthis.
What changed
- Countries covered: According to The National, the refreshed advisories cover Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Kuwait, Oman, the UAE, Qatar, Syria, Yemen and Israel.
- Same levels, new summaries: Each page we checked said the level and risk indicators did not change. Only the summary was rewritten.
- Official line: A State Department official told The National the advisories were “not indicative of new capabilities from the Houthis.” The updated wording warns that hostilities could “escalate rapidly beyond that immediate area.”
- Diplomatic staff: Citing Axios, The National reported that the State Department has been withdrawing personnel from embassies across the region.
- Djibouti too: The US Embassy in Djibouti issued its own security alert on October 23. It warned that regional conflicts are raising the risk of flight cancellations, airspace closures and travel disruption.
Advisory levels we verified (updated October 23, 2026)
| Country | Previous level | Level now | Stated reasons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iran | Level 4 | Level 4 – Do Not Travel (no change) | Summary adds higher potential for Houthi armed attacks |
| Iraq | Level 4 | Level 4 – Do Not Travel (no change) | Summary adds higher potential for Houthi armed attacks |
| Kuwait | Level 3 | Level 3 – Reconsider Travel (no change) | Armed conflict, landmines, crime |
| Oman | Level 3 | Level 3 – Reconsider Travel (no change) | Armed conflict, terrorism |
| United Arab Emirates | Level 3 | Level 3 – Reconsider Travel (no change) | Terrorism, armed conflict |
| Saudi Arabia | TBA | “Reconsider travel” (as reported by The National) | Drone and missile targeting by Iran and the Houthis; avoid the Yemen border area |
The State Department’s own Saudi Arabia page and several other embassy pages would not load for us today, so we could not confirm their levels directly. We have not listed levels for the other countries.
Flights in the region
The National reported that Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport has only partly reopened and that international service has not fully returned. According to Egypt Independent, Qatar Airways suspended its Riyadh and Dammam flights until October 24 and cut Jeddah service from seven daily flights to four. Houthi attacks have hit airports in Riyadh, Dammam, Najran and Jazan.
What it means for travelers
- Expect short-notice cancellations. The embassy alerts warn of sudden airspace closures. If you are flying through Gulf hubs, a cancelled flight can leave many passengers competing for very few seats. Have a backup plan in mind before you go.
- Don’t pick Saudi connections right now. Riyadh is still not fully back to normal, and some carriers have cut or suspended service. Look for routings that avoid Saudi airports.
- Sign up for alerts. Enroll in STEP (US citizens) or Registration of Canadians Abroad before you leave.
- Follow the embassy checklist. The Djibouti alert asks travelers to know where to shelter, keep a “go bag” with food, water and essentials, keep a phone charged, and carry identification at all times.
- Be careful near US-linked locations. US intelligence reporting cited by The National says Iran-linked plotting against Americans has advanced. Stay alert at places publicly associated with the United States.
- Check your insurance. Many policies exclude war, armed conflict or destinations under an advisory. Read the exclusions before you buy, and before you count on a claim.
Sources
- U.S. Embassy Oman — Travel Advisory: Oman, October 2026
- U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Iraq — Travel Advisory: Iraq, October 2026
- U.S. Virtual Embassy Iran — Travel Advisory: Iran, October 2026
- U.S. Embassy in Kuwait — Travel Advisory: Kuwait, October 2026
- U.S. Embassy & Consulate in the UAE — Travel Advisory: United Arab Emirates
- U.S. Embassy in Djibouti — Security Alert, October 23, 2026
- The National — US warns citizens that Houthi attacks ‘have potential to escalate rapidly’
- Egypt Independent — US warns of potential attacks and travel disruptions across 12 Middle Eastern countries
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