‘Do not travel’: Urgent warning to Australians after US strikes Iran

Aussies have been issued a grave warning after US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, as thousands wait to be evacuated.

Australian travellers have been warned global flights could suddenly become disrupted without warning as conflict in the Middle East escalates.

Several flights from Singapore and the UK to Dubai and Doha were suspended on Sunday following US strikes on Iran.

Services resumed along the popular transit route for Australians heading to Europe on Monday, but 1000 British Airways passengers became stranded in Dubai after flights were cancelled.

An alert issued on the government’s Smartraveller website on Monday advised the situation in the Middle East was unpredictable and could get worse with little warning, disrupting travel across the globe.

“Conflict in the Middle East could impact safety and security elsewhere. There is a risk of reprisal attacks and further escalation,” the alert stated.

“If you travel to or through the Middle East, you may be unable to leave if conflict escalates. Local security situations could get worse with little warning. Flights can change or stop at short notice. Roads and borders can close.”

About 1000 British Airways passengers became stranded in Dubai when the airline cancelled flights following US strikes on Iran.

Airspace in the conflict zone has been closed to all flights across Israel, Iran and Iraq with Flight Radar showing airlines avoiding the countries.

Safe Airspace, an online conflict zone and risk database, warned Iran has shown willingness to use long-range, advanced anti-aircraft-capable weapons during heightened tensions and in close proximity to heavily flown international air routes.

A ‘do not fly’ alert was issued by the organisation for travel over Jordan, Lebanon and Syria due to a high risk of missiles and drones after major escalation in ongoing exchanges.

Qatar Airways, which operates flights from most Australian cities to Doha, advised it had rescheduled flights over the coming weeks, with some flights departing earlier than scheduled.

Passengers were urged to check their flight departure times before travelling.

“The safety of our passengers and crew remains our highest priority and Qatar Airways fully complies with the international aviation regulations for safe aircraft routes,” a spokesman said.

Qantas advised while it does not fly direct to the Middle East they continued to monitor the situation closely.

The national carrier uses a number of flight paths to Europe, which can be altered based on weather and security if needed.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong is urging de-escalation after US forces struck nuclear sites n Iran. Picture: NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

Earlier on Monday, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the government is considering changing advice to all Australians travelling abroad in the wake of US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

Senator Wong said there were risks of both escalation within the region and more broadly.

“I’ve indicated publicly this morning that I have asked my department to consider if there’s any alteration to travel advice more broadly,” she said.

More than 4000 Australians were waiting to be evacuated in Israel and Iran as of Monday morning.

Smartraveler updated its advice for Australians abroad, with numerous countries in the Middle East now listed as either “do not travel” or “exercise a high degree of caution”.

Warnings for Iran, Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territories, and Iraq state: “We continue to advise Australians do not travel to (these countries) due to the volatile security situation and the risk it could deteriorate with little notice.”

“(Airports) could close without warning, and you may be unable to leave for an extended period.

“The Australian government may not be able to assist you to leave.

“Conflicts in the Middle East could result in an increase in tensions elsewhere in the region and may result in airspace closures, flight cancellations and other travel disruptions.

“There is a risk of reprisal attacks and further escalation across the region, as well as the potential for terrorist attacks.”

The Smartraveller website also warns Australians to avoid any demonstrations or protests, monitor local media for updates, and follow authorities’ advice.

Earlier on Monday, the US State Department issued a warning to US citizens worldwide.

“The conflict between Israel and Iran has resulted in disruptions to travel and periodic closure of airspace across the Middle East,” the statement read.

A man carrying his cat and personal belongings evacuates the site of an Iranian strike that hit a residential neighbourhood in the Ramat Aviv area in Tel Aviv on Sunday (Photo by MAYA LEVIN / AFP)

“There is potential for demonstrations against US citizens and interests abroad. The Department of State advises U.S. citizens worldwide to exercise increased caution.”

More than 4000 Australians are waiting to be evacuated in Israel and Iran, with Senator Wong flagging a potential small window that could allow Australian officials to move them.

Plans have become more precarious after the US launched strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, with Iran vowing retaliation against America.

Iran and Israel have also continued to trade strikes.

On Monday morning, Senator Wong said 1300 Australians in Israel and 3000 Aussies in Iran had registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs as wanting to leave; however, evacuation attempts in Iran are more complicated.

Australian officials have been stationed at the Azerbaijani border, with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trading (DFAT) releasing photos of the operation assisting Australians to leave the war zone on Monday.

DFAT released photos of officials stationed at the Azerbaijani border who are assisting Aussies leaving Iran. Picture: DFAT

“Obviously, the situation in Iran is very distressing for Australians. We have over, I think it’s over 3000 Australians and their families have registered with us as seeking to leave and obviously the airspace remains closed,” Senator Wong said at a Monday press conference.

“It was a difficult decision to [close the embassy]. The previous Government had to do it in Kyiv and in other parts of the world - it occurs from time to time.

“But I would say we were very conscious of the history in Iran, which I think people well know, and the advice to me which I discussed with the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister was to ensure we got our people out.”

While there are “reports” the airspace over Israel may be open “for a window today (Monday)”, Senator Wong said it was a fast-moving situation.

“We have contacted people on the ground, but obviously the situation changes very quickly, and the risk is high, so we have to take that one step at a time,” she said.

On Sunday, DFAT said that while the airspace remained closed, the government would be assisting bus transfers between Tel Aviv in Israel to Amman in Jordan.

Although Australia’s embassy in Tehran, Iran’s capital, remains closed, Australia’s Ambassador to Iran Ian McConville has remained in the area to support the government’s response.

DFAT urged “Australians who want to leave Iran to do so now, if it is safe, otherwise shelter in place”.