Uzbekistan has expressed deep concern over the rapid escalation of tensions in the Middle East, urging restraint and diplomatic resolution as the conflict begins to affect civilian aviation and regional security.
Meanwhile, neighbouring Kyrgyzstan has opened a round-the-clock crisis headquarters to monitor the situation and assist its citizens abroad.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan issued an official statement expressing “serious concern” over the sharp deterioration of the situation in the Middle East, warning that further escalation could lead to unpredictable military, political and humanitarian consequences.
Tashkent called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and avoid actions that could aggravate tensions. The ministry stressed that the crisis must be addressed strictly in accordance with international law through political and diplomatic means, including constructive and mutually acceptable dialogue.
Uzbekistan reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regional stability and security and expressed hope for a swift normalisation of the situation.
Against this backdrop, Uzbekistan’s foreign minister held telephone consultations with counterparts in Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, Bahrain, Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates. During the discussions, the sides exchanged views on the evolving situation and reaffirmed their commitment to respecting sovereignty and resolving disputes through dialogue. Messages of support from the President of Uzbekistan were conveyed during the calls.
The escalating conflict has already disrupted air travel following the closure of airspace in several Middle Eastern countries.
Uzbekistan Airways cancelled flights between Tashkent and Dubai, as well as Tashkent and Tel Aviv. Flights to Jeddah are operating via alternative routes for safety reasons, resulting in longer journey times.
Authorities have suspended departures for the Umrah pilgrimage until further notice. From 2 March, repatriation flights are being organised from Jeddah to return Uzbek pilgrims home.
The Foreign Ministry advised citizens to postpone non-essential travel to the Middle East and urged those currently in the region to remain in contact with diplomatic missions and follow safety instructions issued by local authorities.
In neighbouring Kyrgyzstan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs established a special headquarters operating 24 hours a day in response to the crisis.
The Consular Department held an emergency meeting and established direct communication with embassies and consulates in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Turkey. Officials reported no casualties among Kyrgyz citizens and said the overall situation remained stable in most Gulf states.
According to Consular Department Director Seytek Zhumakadyr uulu, Saudi Arabia’s airports remain open, although some flights are delayed, while the situation in Qatar is described as stable. WhatsApp groups have been set up to provide operational updates to citizens abroad. Consular staff are also assisting Kyrgyz nationals facing accommodation difficulties.
The escalation began on 28 February with U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, followed by retaliatory missile attacks by Tehran on U.S. military bases in the Gulf. Reports indicate that senior Iranian officials were killed in the strikes, intensifying regional tensions.
Airspace closures across parts of the Middle East have left tens of thousands of travellers stranded. Governments across Central Asia are closely monitoring developments, as further instability could affect energy markets, transport routes and regional trade.
Both Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan have emphasised diplomacy and restraint as the only viable path to de-escalation.
Up to 30 tonnes of food will be delivered to Iran amidst ongoing hostilities with U.S. and Israel, following a phone converstation between the ...
Schools across Pakistan are being forced to close for a fortnight from next week with government departments down to a four-day week, accordin...
Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian women footballers who sought asylum, fearing persecution after refusing to sing their nati...
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top ...
U.S. President Donald Trump called his recent phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin “very good.” The two leader...
Uzbekistan is planning new measures to encourage marriages after the age of 21 and promote the use of prenuptial agreements as part of broader reforms aimed at strengthening protections for women and children.
Escalating tensions between Iran and the U.S. are raising economic concerns across Central Asia. Although the region lies far from the conflict, its economies remain closely tied to global energy markets and trade routes linked to the Persian Gulf.
More than 661,000 citizens of Uzbekistan have registered on licensed cryptocurrency platforms, as the country continues to formalise and regulate its digital asset sector, according to the National Agency for Prospective Projects (NAPP).
Central Asia’s population could reach 96 million by 2040, according to the head of the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), highlighting both the region’s economic potential and the growing strain on infrastructure, trade routes and long-term development models.
Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is a hardline cleric with strong backing from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. His rise signals continuity in Tehran's anti-Western policies.
Global oil prices surpassed $119 a barrel on Monday (9 March, 2026), an almost four year high, as the Middle East conflict rumbled on.
China has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their dispute through dialogue after Chinese envoy Yue Xiaoyong met Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, as fighting between the two neighbours entered its eleventh day.
Iran named Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father Ali Khamenei as supreme leader on Monday (9 March), signaling that hardliners remain firmly in charge, as the week-old U.S.-Israeli war with Iran pushed oil above $100 a barrel.
Entry and exit across the state border between Azerbaijan and Iran for all types of cargo vehicles, including those in transit, will resume on 9 March, according to a statement by the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan.
Up to 30 tonnes of food will be delivered to Iran amidst ongoing hostilities with U.S. and Israel, following a phone converstation between the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Iranian counterpart Massoud Pezeshkian.
Schools across Pakistan are being forced to close for a fortnight from next week with government departments down to a four-day week, according to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in a televised address to the nation.
Just under a year after being arrested and imprisoned at Silivri prison in the west of İstanbul, İmamoğlu appeared in good spirits when he arrived in court on Monday to face around 140 charges including leading a criminal organisation for profit and bribery.
Global oil prices reached a four year high on Monday (9 March), surpassing $119 a barrel, as conflict in the Middle East rumbled on. Meanwhile, the Turkish Military said NATO air defence systems destroyed a missile fired from Iran towards the country.
Kyrgyzstan recorded the largest increase in women’s representation in parliament worldwide in 2025, according to a new report by the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment