Dhaka: The Australian government has clarified that its 'Do Not Travel' warnings for several Middle Eastern countries, including Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, also apply to transits and layovers, not just direct travel to those destinations.

The government's travel advisory platform, Smartraveller, has issued the warnings amid ongoing regional conflict, cautioning that airports, hotels, roads, bridges, and other infrastructure have been struck by missiles.

"Airspace may close at short notice. Flights can change or stop suddenly. Borders can close," Smartraveller warned, adding that travelers transiting through a 'Do Not Travel' country risk being unable to leave and face safety threats.

Travelers with upcoming itineraries involving transit or stopovers in affected countries were advised to contact their travel agent or airline to explore alternative routes, rebooking options, or refunds. However, the government cautioned against canceling flights without professional guidance.

Iran, Israel, and the United States have been in conflict since February 28, which further expanded across other nations in the Middle East, including the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia.

Australian embassies and consulates in Israel and the UAE remain closed. Nearly 5,000 Australians have returned home on 36 direct flights from the region since March 4.