KUALA LUMPUR - Japan’s Foreign Ministry has raised its travel alert to Level 3 for six countries in the Middle East following the worsening security situation after United States and Israeli attacks on Iran.

The advisory, the second highest in the ministry’s four-tier system, urges Japanese nationals to avoid travelling to the affected countries for any reason, as reported by The Japan Times.

The Level 3 warning applies to Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and eastern Saudi Arabia.

Japanese residents currently in these locations have also been advised to consider or prepare for possible evacuation.

The ministry said international airports in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have been closed.

Authorities are planning to transport Japanese nationals by land to Muscat, the capital of Oman, and to Riyadh, where airports remain operational.

From there, government-chartered flights will be arranged to bring Japanese citizens back to Tokyo if they wish to return.

Officials said securing airline tickets has become increasingly difficult as travellers from neighbouring countries crowd the airports in Muscat and Riyadh.