️ Governments worldwide are intensifying repatriation flights from the Middle East as the US-led war against Iran causes the most significant disruption to global air travel since the COVID-19 pandemic. Qatar's Interior Ministry announced the evacuation of residents near the US embassy in Doha, describing it as a "temporary precautionary measure." Qatar hosts the largest US military installation in the region, Al-Udeid Air Base, which was struck by an Iranian missile on Tuesday.

️ Military tensions in the Persian Gulf are escalating, with US embassies in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait also closing after Iranian strikes earlier in the week. A tanker off the coast of Kuwait reported hearing and seeing a large explosion, observing a small craft leaving the area. According to an incident report, oil was seen in the water from a cargo tank, and the vessel had taken on water, but all crew members were safe. This latest incident brings the total to at least nine vessels hit in Gulf waters since the war began.

️ The transport crisis is deepening, with over 3,000 vessels stuck in Persian Gulf ports awaiting passage through the narrow Strait of Hormuz, which is currently effectively blocked by Iran. This blockade could severely disrupt global oil and commodity flows, adding to economic strain.

️ The first repatriation flight organized by the German government has departed from Oman, with a Lufthansa aircraft en route to Frankfurt. Passengers had been stranded in the Gulf region following the start of the US war with Iran and were transported overland to Muscat. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul earlier stated that such flights would prioritize pregnant women, the sick, and children, though the exact number of stranded Germans on this initial evacuation flight remains unclear.

️ Overall, the situation is placing severe pressure on global migration and transport systems, with the US-led war exacerbating regional instability and posing challenges to international cooperation.

Source: www.dw.com