Travel · Official advice · 29 October 2026
FCDO updates Iraq travel advice amid regional tensions
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has announced updated travel advice for Iraq. The guidance reflects high risks of sudden escalation due to unpredictable regional tensions in the Middle East.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has published updated travel advice for Iraq. The department cites high risks of sudden escalation in the Middle East, driven by unpredictable regional tensions. The guidance notes that Iran has stated its intention to target locations associated with the US and Israel since the conflict began in 2026.
Travellers are advised to be prepared for flight cancellations, airspace closures, and travel disruptions. The department recommends signing up for email alerts and monitoring local media for updates on airports and airspace. Consular support is severely limited in areas where travel is advised against.
The advice advises against all travel to specific areas including parts of Anbar, Diyala, Kirkuk, Ninawa, and Salah al-Din provinces. It also advises against all but essential travel to the remainder of several provinces and the Kurdistan Region. Travel is advised against within 5km of borders in Wasit, Maysan and Basra provinces, and within 5km of borders with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
Travel insurance may be invalidated if a person travels against this advice. The guidance applies to British nationals and others travelling to Iraq. The department has not stated a specific timeframe for when these conditions might change.
Written by StreetOwl from Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s own announcement. It was drafted by StreetOwl’s own model, every figure and quotation was checked by code against the announcement, and it was read and approved by Michael Rossi before it went up. It says what was announced, not what anyone should do about it.
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