Oman and the regional situation: facts, official advice and precautions

In short

In autumn 2026, Muscat airport is open and hotels in the north of the country are welcoming guests. Oman nonetheless remains exposed to the regional war that has pitted Iran against the United States and Israel since February: drones have repeatedly targeted its ports and Musandam, and governments' advice focuses on four areas, Musandam, Salalah, Duqm and the Yemen border; some governments also advise against travel to the whole country. This guide sets out the facts, the advice of your country's foreign ministry with the date of its latest update, the situation in each area and the precautions that follow.

What has happened since February 2026

• 28 February. The United States and Israel strike Iran, which retaliates against Israel and targets across the region, according to the Belgian foreign ministry.
• 1 and 3 March. Drones target Duqm commercial port twice. On 1 March one hits workers' accommodation and injures a worker; on 3 March a fuel tank is hit, with no casualties, according to Oman's state news agency as reported by Khaleej Times.
• 11 March. Drones strike fuel tanks at the port of Salalah, in Raysut, starting a fire; the shipping line Maersk suspends operations, according to The New Arab.
• 13 March. A drone falls on the Al Awahi industrial area in Sohar, killing two foreign nationals, according to Oman's state news agency as reported by Al Jazeera.
• 28 March. Two drones target the port of Salalah again: a crane is destroyed, a worker injured and the port suspends operations; Iran claims the attack, according to The Maritime Executive.
• 18 April. Oman Air resumes Muscat-Khasab flights to Musandam, four a week, as part of a phased return of its regional flights.
• 17 June. The United States and Iran announce a memorandum of understanding. According to the Belgian foreign ministry, both sides later said they no longer considered themselves bound by it.
• Since 8 July. Iran carries out strikes and retaliatory attacks in several countries in the region, including Oman, against US military and civilian infrastructure, according to the UK Foreign Office.
• 12 July. Drones target several sites in Musandam governorate; Oman condemns the attack, according to the Oman Observer.
• 10 September. France Diplomatie, the travel advice service of the French foreign ministry, reports Iranian strikes on Omani territory.
• 1 October. The Swedish embassy reports "limited but continuing" attacks on Oman and states that Muscat airport remains open.
• 11 October. The first charter flight of the winter season, from Czechia with 150 passengers, lands in Salalah, according to the Muscat Daily.

European visitor numbers fell sharply in the spring: in April 2026 Oman received 16,957 European visitors, against 76,489 in April 2025, according to the NCSI (National Centre for Statistics and Information, Oman's statistics office). From January to August 2026, international arrivals at Salalah airport were down 24.5%.

What governments advise

Each country publishes its own travel advice. It is advice, not a legal requirement. Foreign ministries do not all give the same advice: some advise against the whole country, others against one or more areas, others against none. Here is your country's advice, with the date of its latest update (checked on 20 October 2026):

Your country's advice is shown in the box at the top of the page.

Advice covering the Salalah, Duqm or Musandam "regions" does not always draw their precise boundaries. A ministry with no Oman-specific page may refer to a regional notice on the Middle East or to other countries' advice.

Four areas under advice

Musandam

The Musandam peninsula, separated from the rest of Oman by the United Arab Emirates, lies on the Strait of Hormuz. It is the area European governments name most often, from advice against tourist or non-essential travel to advice against all but essential travel. Drones targeted several sites there on 12 July 2026.

It is reached by air from Muscat to Khasab, or by road from the UAE at the Al Darah crossing, from Ras Al Khaimah, and the Dibba crossing. Day trips sold from Dubai cross the border and fall under the same advice. Hire cars are no longer allowed into Musandam by road, according to France Diplomatie. The Musandam page describes the region.

Salalah and Dhofar

Several governments advise against the Salalah region or the surroundings of its port and strategic installations. The port of Salalah, in Raysut, was hit on 11 and 28 March 2026. Away from the Dhofar coastal strip, there is a reported risk of armed groups infiltrating from Yemen: take appropriate security measures, stay vigilant at all times and leave your itinerary with relatives. This covers the mountains of Taqah, Mirbat and Wadi Darbat and the Empty Quarter. The Salalah page describes the region, without trip ideas while this advice stands.

Duqm

Several governments advise against the Duqm region or the surroundings of its port and industrial sites. The commercial port was targeted on 1 and 3 March 2026. The Duqm page describes the region.

The Yemen border

The Yemen border area, west of Dhofar, is advised against by several governments. Road checks and several minefields are reported there, as well as possible violence near the point where Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Oman meet. If you must go there, contact your country's embassy responsible for Oman first.

Some governments add Sohar, on the Batinah coast: they advise against non-essential travel near its port and industrial sites, and the Al Awahi industrial area was hit on 13 March 2026.

What it means for travellers

Insurance

Before you leave, check that you are properly insured. Comprehensive travel insurance, including medical care, legal assistance and repatriation, is essential, and the policy should cover your itinerary, planned activities and emergency expenses.

If your country's foreign ministry advises against travel, or if your itinerary includes an advised-against area, the first question for your insurer is whether the policy covers the trip. Sabaro recommends asking in writing before booking, whatever your nationality.

Flights

Governments mention possible sudden airspace closures; travellers could then be stranded in the country indefinitely. Land border crossings can also close at short notice. EASA (the European Union Aviation Safety Agency) has issued an advisory covering part of the airspace over the Gulf of Oman until 16 November 2026. On the supply side, the Swiss airline Edelweiss has dropped its Zurich-Muscat and Zurich-Salalah flights from its winter 2026-2027 schedule. In practice, avoid tight connections, keep travel documents up to date, have the means to extend your stay by a few days and follow your airline's messages.

Registering with your government

Most foreign ministries offer online registration, a crisis preparedness list or an app that sends security alerts to travellers. Register with your country's service before you leave, and note the contact details of your embassy or consulate responsible for Oman, which may be in another Gulf country. Before you go, check France Diplomatiediplomatie.belgium.beDFAE (eda.admin.ch)mae.gouvernement.luGOV.UK (FCDO)ireland.ie (DFA)Auswärtiges AmtRegeringen (UD)Udenrigsministeriet (um.dk)RegjeringenOdyseusz (MSZ)MZV ČRBMEIANederland WereldwijdViaggiare Sicuriexteriores.gob.esPortal das ComunidadesUlkoministeriö (um.fi).

If there is an alert

Follow the local authorities' instructions, take shelter and keep away from security or military installations. The greatest risk comes from falling debris after interceptions: stay inside a solid building, in an interior stairwell or a room with as few external walls and windows as possible, and never touch drone or missile fragments. Keep phones and power banks charged. The Omani authorities communicate through the Government Communication Centre and the Royal Oman Police, and the civil defence Nidaa app sends emergency alerts.

Emergency number in Oman: 9999, for police, fire and ambulance.

Photography

In Oman it is forbidden to photograph government buildings, military installations, military and police vehicles, border posts, soldiers and police officers. Birdwatching or plane spotting may be misunderstood near military sites, government buildings and airports. Also keep away from military, energy and port installations and do not approach debris. Sabaro advises against photographing damaged sites or debris: in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, the authorities reminded the public in 2026 that filming or sharing such images is an offence. A leisure drone needs a licence, or it is confiscated on arrival.

Places to avoid

• military installations and areas;
• US sites and diplomatic sites;
• energy sites and large port and industrial complexes, notably in Duqm, Sohar and Salalah;
• gatherings and demonstrations.

The Oman page presents the destination, and the Oman visa and entry guide covers entry rules.