An Iran target list is spreading fast online, and if you're flying to the Middle East, it's fair to wonder whether your airport is still safe to use. On Tuesday, Fars, an Iranian news agency with close ties to the government, published what it calls a "Zero Hour" list of places across the region that it says could be hit if the US or Israel strikes Iran again. It came a day after the US carried out limited strikes on an Iranian island in the Strait of Hormuz.
For now, the biggest airports in the Gulf are open, and most flights are running. The main exception is Saudi Arabia, where several big airlines have canceled flights to Riyadh and Dammam.
What's on the List
The list reportedly covers eight countries: Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Jordan. Reports confirm it includes hotels in Qatar and Abu Dhabi that Formula 1 and MotoGP teams use on race weekends. Versions shared widely online say it also includes ports, airports and power plants, but we haven't been able to confirm which specific sites are named. The list hasn't been verified, and it's framed as a set of possible targets if Iran is attacked again, not a warning of an imminent strike.
Where Airports and Flights Stand
Dubai (DXB): Open. Emirates and flydubai are flying most of their network, but both have canceled flights to Riyadh and Dammam, and Emirates has canceled some Jeddah flights too.
Abu Dhabi (AUH): Open and running normally, with Etihad flying more than 300 flights a day. Etihad has canceled its Riyadh and Dammam flights through Thursday, Nov. 5, along with some night flights to Jeddah.
Doha (DOH): Open. Qatar Airways said Monday that all its flights were operating as normal, even with a large military drill happening around the airport. Its Riyadh and Dammam flights remain suspended with no restart date.
Saudi Arabia: This is where travel is most disrupted. Riyadh's airport has reopened, but flights in and out need special government permission, and many Gulf airlines are still canceling. Jeddah is partly served.
Flights passing over the region: Europe's aviation safety agency has told airlines to avoid Gulf airspace except to take off and land through at least Nov. 16, so some flights between Europe and Asia are taking longer routes.
The F1 and MotoGP Races
The list has hit motorsport hardest. MotoGP's Qatar Grand Prix at the Lusail circuit, Nov. 6 to 8, is going ahead, but Yamaha has pulled out, citing "company-wide travel restrictions." F1's Qatar race is set for Nov. 27 to 29 and the Abu Dhabi finale for Dec. 4 to 6. F1 says both are staying on the calendar, with Imola in Italy ready as a backup, and it's expected to review the situation after the US midterms. If you're flying in for a race, remember your race ticket and plane ticket are separate. A canceled race doesn't mean a refunded flight.
If You're Flying There
Airlines move fast when the situation changes, so the airline app is the first place to check, and it's worth turning on flight alerts now. If your flight is canceled, your airline has to rebook you or refund you. If it isn't canceled and you decide not to go, you'll usually only get money back on a refundable fare, and most standard travel insurance policies exclude war and terrorism, so a "cancel for any reason" policy is the main kind that would cover you. Check your government's travel advice for the countries on your route before you leave.
