Fiji’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade has welcomed a two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States as a positive, if temporary, opportunity for de-escalation — but warned that the wider Middle East remains volatile and unpredictable. In an official statement issued on Monday, the ministry described the pause in hostilities as a brief window for calm, while stressing that developments could change rapidly and require continued vigilance from Fijians at home and abroad.
As a precaution, the ministry has issued strengthened travel advisories for the region. A Level 4 warning — advising Fijians to avoid all travel, including transit — now covers the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Iran, Israel, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and Kuwait. Jordan, Oman and Saudi Arabia have been placed on a Level 3 advisory, where non-essential travel is discouraged; lower-level alerts remain in place for other nearby countries and waters, the ministry said.
The ministry urged Fijians currently in affected areas to “consider leaving if it is safe to do so,” and advised those who remain to follow directions from local authorities, avoid large gatherings and stay away from high-risk locations. Families in Fiji were also asked to maintain close communication with loved ones overseas as the situation evolves, and to use official channels such as the ministry and Fiji’s diplomatic missions for up-to-date information.
Officials warned that the conflict and the broader regional instability could have knock-on effects for global travel, including disruptions to international flights and common transit routes. The ministry cautioned travellers and those making travel plans to expect delays or rerouting and to check with airlines and travel providers before departing.
The ministry’s update follows a series of advisories and actions by Fiji’s diplomatic missions in the region over recent days. Fiji’s Embassy in Jerusalem previously issued a security advisory urging nationals in Israel to shelter and take precautions amid military activity; embassy officials had reported that Fijians there were safe while contingency measures were put in place. The new national-level travel warnings broaden those earlier, location-specific alerts and reflect an elevated assessment of risk across multiple Middle Eastern states.
Pacific neighbours have also taken steps in response to the flare-up of hostilities. In early March, Papua New Guinea sought assistance from Australia to help secure safe passage for its citizens in the Gulf, illustrating how small states are coordinating evacuation and consular support in a fast-changing environment. Fiji’s ministry said it continues to monitor regional developments closely and stands ready to provide consular assistance where needed, urging affected Fijians to register with diplomatic posts and use the ministry’s emergency contacts.
While the two-week ceasefire offers a temporary reprieve from direct confrontation, the ministry reiterated that it does not eliminate the risk of renewed hostilities or further escalation. Authorities reiterated that vigilance, adherence to official guidance and timely communication between families and diplomats remain critical as the situation unfolds.
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