Middle East Regional Coordination Meeting Minutes, 21 May 2026

Content

1. Logistics Update & Situation Overview

There have been no important operational changes to the regional situation since the previous coordination meeting two weeks ago, though the context remains highly volatile. Ocean freight through the Strait of Hormuz remains restricted as carriers maintain a cautious approach with no service changes at this time, and high fuel prices continue to place operational constraints on humanitarian operations.

PORT ACCESS

• Ports in Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, the Red Sea, and western Saudi Arabia are operational and accessible​.
• Gulf Ports in the UAE, Kuwait, Iran, eastern Saudi Arabia, and Qatar are reported to be operational, but access is constrained due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

AIRSPACE RESTRICTIONS

FUEL

Brent crude oil averaged 105 USD per barrel on 21 May; prices remain volatile.

2.  Partner Updates & Questions

• Partners participating in the meeting confirmed that they did not currently have ongoing or planned operations within Iran, though one partner reported ongoing operations in Kurdistan.
• A partner suggested information sharing from organisations already operating within Iran is crucial for those lacking an operational footprint in terms of preparedness for future operations.
• Partners did not share any regional logistics constraints or challenges.
• A partner shared that the Ibrahim Khalil BCP between Turkey and Iran is open for cargo. 

3. Regional Logistics Cluster: Information & Analysis

• The LogIE Supply Routes module now has the additional “supply route finder” functionality to enable the visualization of supply routes into or from specific countries.
• A regional Logistics Risk Analysis focusing on entry points along key supply routes into Syria, Lebanon, Afghanistan, and Yemen is in development for preparedness and advocacy purposes.

4. Yemen Cluster Update

• A Gaps & Needs Assessment (GNA) is ongoing to gather information on partners’ logistics capacities and bottlenecks in the Yemen operation. The GNA supports regional supply corridor mapping. Partners can contact andrey.kildishov@wfp.org for more information.
• Yemen is now visible on the regional LogIE map, in both the Supply Routes and Physical Access Constraints modules.

5.  Lebanon Cluster Update

• The Lebanon Logistics Cluster continues to facilitate access to the government to government (G2G) relief corridor opened between Amman, Jordan and Lebanon through a convoy service offered on free to user basis, based on funding and need​​.
• Beirut Airport remains fully operational for both passengers and cargo.
• DG ECHO European Union Humanitarian Airbridge (EUHAB): Partners are asked to share their Lebanon-bound cargo transportation needs on Transport by Hulo or to contact euhab@hulo.coop or daniele.elkhazen@hulo.coop. 
• The Lebanon Logistics Cluster continues to facilitate convoys in country on a weekly basis

6.  Afghanistan Cluster Update

Humanitarian Corridor Facilitation​

• Discussions are ongoing between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) in Pakistan and OCHA to facilitate the movement of approximately 800 containers held in Karachi. Partners have confirmed the location, readiness/port release status, and intended border crossings.
• Torkham and Chaman have been confirmed as the primary planned border crossings. Cargo origin is not expected to be a constraint for the movement of the humanitarian cargo.​
• Movements are unlikely to start immediately. Indicative planning assumes initial clearance processing, then a defined movement window can be determined (approximate 21-day window once activated).​

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Borders / Supply Corridors​

• The Islam Qala border crossing (Iran/Afghanistan) remains open for commercial cargo. Humanitarian cargo movements are possible, though the corridor assessed as high risk due to regional insecurity.​
• The Northern corridors through Hairatan and Torghundi BCPs are now processing most commercial and humanitarian cargo volumes. Congestion at Hairatan border crossing is increasing due to diversions from other routes.​​
• Airlink/Turkish airways offers an airbridge from Istanbul to Kabul for core relief items.

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​7. Syria Logistics Cluster Update

• Ports and airports are operational​. Damascus and Aleppo international airports have cargo handling capacity​. The current completion date for the rehabilitation of Deir Ezzour and Qamishli domestic airports is 20 August 2026.
• The Logistics Capacity Assessment is estimated to be completed by the end of May. ​
• The Government of Syria announced the creation and/or expansion of several border crossing points (BCP) that will become accessible in the coming weeks:
• The construction of three new BCPs between Lebanon and Syria (Jisr Qamar, Dabousieh, Arida bridge);opening new crossing at Yabous BCP​
• Between Syria and Iraq (Al‑Tanf)​
• Rehabilitation of the Qamishli BCP between Turkiye and Syria; expansion of Bab al‑Hawa, Salameh, Al‑Rai, and Jarabulus.​
• Expansion of the Nassib BCP between Jordan and Syria.​

8. Any Other Business

• The regional logistics coordination meetings will now take place on a monthly basis. The date of the next regional coordination meeting will be communicated to partners.
• All the documents and links related to the regional crisis can be found on the dedicated Logistics Cluster page.

The next Middle East Regional Coordination Meeting will be communicated via the mailing list.

Contacts