Escalation of Tensions in the Middle East: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Advises Against Travel to Oman and the United Arab Emirates

The security situation in the Middle East has deteriorated sharply following recent Iranian attacks targeting the Gulf Cooperation Council states. The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided to raise the threat level for Oman to the highest, fourth level, which constitutes an absolute recommendation to leave the country. Similar advisories apply to the United Arab Emirates and Cyprus, where the situation remains unpredictable. Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski has once again appealed to Poles for caution and to avoid travel, which under current conditions carries the risk of sudden airspace closure. Meanwhile, in Dubai, hundreds of Polish tourists are grappling with logistical problems and difficulties in contacting diplomatic missions. The issue of evacuation has become a flashpoint for conflict on the domestic political scene. President Andrzej Duda and opposition politicians, including Karol Nawrocki, are demanding that the government take decisive steps and send aircraft to retrieve citizens, pointing to examples of the Czech Republic or Hungary, which have already begun rescue operations. However, government representatives, including Minister Adam Szłapka, emphasize that individuals traveling despite prior warnings must be prepared for the state's limited capacity to assist. Military experts, such as Gen. Roman Polko, point out that any evacuation operation under wartime conditions carries enormous risk, and Poland is trying to coordinate its actions with NATO partners. It is also worth noting the offer from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who proposed sending drone operators to the region in exchange for support in a ceasefire with Russia. The Middle East has for decades remained a region with the highest level of geopolitical risk, where local conflicts regularly impact the global energy market and tourist safety. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) mechanism, established in 1981, was intended to stabilize the region, but the rivalry between Iran and Arab states continually undermines this stability.The situation also has a practical dimension for tourists currently on vacation. While mobile operators, such as Plus, are introducing free roaming packages for individuals in the danger zone, travel agencies face the challenge of altering the vacation plans of thousands of clients. The consul in the United Arab Emirates reassures that efforts are being made to secure returns, but the region's aviation infrastructure is under immense pressure. This crisis highlights the systemic weakness of the Polish foreign service in emergency situations, which has become a key argument in the public debate about the state's readiness to protect citizens abroad. „ponownie stanowczo apelujemy” (once again we strongly appeal) — Radosław Sikorski

Perspektywy mediów: Liberal media emphasize the shared responsibility of tourists ignoring MFA warnings and the logistical difficulties of evacuation in a war zone. Conservative media criticize the government for inaction and lack of empathy, comparing Polish passivity to the efficient evacuation operations of neighboring countries.