The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs has upgraded travel advisories for several Middle Eastern countries following a sharp deterioration in regional security. Qatar, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates have been placed on orange alert — meaning holidays are discouraged and travel is advised only when strictly necessary — while Bahrain has been raised to red, the highest level, indicating conditions too dangerous for any visit. The ministry cited the intensifying conflict between the United States and Iran, with Iran launching retaliatory strikes against US allies in the region in response to American attacks.