Romania and the crisis in the Middle East
Romanian authorities are on high alert in the context of the conflict in the Middle East
Daniela Budu, 02.03.2026, 14:00
“Romania is completely safe and is under no direct threat whatsoever. Even though the current regional security context in the Middle East has deteriorated significantly, our country is outside any danger. The Romanian state institutions responsible for foreign policy and security are monitoring developments and are taking all necessary measures”, President Nicuşor Dan said. He stressed that the priority is the safety of Romanians in conflict zones and called on them to remain calm and to follow the instructions received from both local and national authorities.
In turn, Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan told Romanians affected by the conflict in the Middle East that he stands with them and understands their concerns. The priority of the authorities in Bucharest is the safety of every Romanian citizen, he added, assuring the public that the government is monitoring developments in the region and remains in constant contact with, and regularly informed by, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as Romania’s embassies and consulates in the region. Diplomatic and consular staff are mobilised and ready to provide assistance to all those who need help, the Prime Minister said. He also advised Romanians in the Middle East to strictly follow the instructions of local authorities, to avoid non-essential travel, and to notify Romania’s embassies or consulates of their presence in order to receive support. In addition, on Monday, Prime Minister Bolojan convened a government meeting on the situation of Romanian citizens stranded in the area bordering Iran, after the Foreign Ministry had earlier called a meeting of the specially established crisis cell for this purpose, attended online by the heads of Romania’s diplomatic missions in the states affected by the conflict. The Prime Minister said the authorities are seeking to maintain permanent contact with the stranded Romanians and to identify solutions for bringing them home as soon as the situation allows.
For her part, Foreign Minister Oana Ţoiu asked Romanian citizens in the conflict zone to send their contact details to consular offices in the region. She added that, depending on the recommendations of the respective countries, Bucharest will present evacuation plans once the airspace reopens and transit is considered safe. In the context of recent security developments in the Middle East, the Foreign Ministry announced that it is continuously monitoring the situation of Romanian citizens in the area and maintaining constant contact with Romania’s diplomatic missions and consular offices in the region. According to the Romanian official, all Romanian diplomatic missions and offices in the conflict-affected region are also coordinating with the consular network of the other European Union member states, in order to jointly provide assistance to Romanian and European citizens, as well as to coordinate political dialogue with leaders of countries in the region.
In addition, Romania’s top diplomat took part on Sunday evening in an online meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council, convened by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, where she discussed the latest developments in the Middle East with her fellow European Union ministers. (VP)
