Since 28 February 2026, the conflict between the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other has triggered a series of chain reactions that directly affect the international mobility of employees. For HR teams and Global Mobility managers, the situation requires an immediate response and a clear understanding of the operational impacts.
Regional airspace paralysed
The military offensive has led to the closure of airspace over Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Qatar and Kuwait. In a matter of hours, more than 3,000 flights were cancelled, including all Qatar Airways operations to and from Doha. The three hubs that handle a large proportion of global long-haul flights — Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi — are in serious difficulty. Airlines are now rerouting flights to longer and more expensive alternative routes, notably via Saudi Arabia or north-western China, extending transit times by 30 to 90 minutes and increasing fuel consumption.
For employees in transit, on assignment or about to take up their posts, this translates into delayed arrivals, disrupted rotations, unexpected accommodation costs and disrupted assignment planning.
Maritime freight blocked: household goods under pressure
The Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea have been declared impassable for transport vessels. The port of Bahrain is closed and undergoing damage assessment. Shipowners are redirecting their fleets to longer routes, significantly increasing delays and costs. For employees in the process of relocation, this means that their personal belongings and furniture are likely to experience significant delays, with a direct impact on their settlement and comfort upon arrival.
Slowed administrative services
Embassies and government administrations in the conflict zone are operating at a reduced pace or are partially closed. Processing times for visas, work permits and various authorisations will be longer. Companies whose employees need to settle or renew documents in these countries should anticipate several weeks of additional delays.
A cascading economic impact
The rise in oil prices — Brent briefly reached $82 per barrel — is putting pressure on mobility budgets on two fronts: fuel surcharges applied by relocation providers are increasing, and property interest rates are likely to follow the inflationary trend, reducing the attractiveness of relocations for employees who need to buy or rent when they arrive.
What HR teams need to do now
In light of this situation, several immediate actions are required:
Take stock of all assignees with a connection to the affected area — whether in transit, departing or in the process of settling in. Proactively communicate the expected delays for household goods. Check the status of visa applications in progress in the affected countries. Review current travel advisories and adjust business travel policies. Anticipate additional costs for extended temporary accommodation and rerouting fees.
Global mobility, a barometer of geopolitical crises
This conflict highlights a fundamental truth about our industry: international mobility is never a purely logistical process. It is a direct reflection of the state of the world. Teams that had already adopted a proactive approach to geopolitical risk management—with contingency plans and suppliers capable of responding quickly—are now better equipped to protect their employees.
We continue to monitor the situation closely and remain available to assist our clients in managing these unforeseen events.