Bulgarian Posts will restart accepting outgoing mail to Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Oman from 18 May 2026, ending a two-month suspension caused by conflict-related transport disruptions across the Middle East.
Services were suspended in March 2026 after airlines cancelled flights following the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran. Both air and maritime cargo routes were affected, making regular postal operations impossible.
The operator has not announced when it will resume mail to other Middle Eastern countries affected by the March suspension, nor has it published revised delivery time estimates for the four countries now reopening. Longer transit times are expected given reduced flight capacity and rerouted cargo, but exact durations remain unknown.
What Caused the Suspension
The regional crisis intensified on 28 February 2026 when Israel launched what it described as a preventive strike against Iran. The United States followed with attacks on Iranian targets. The conflict created immediate logistical problems across the Middle East, including flight restrictions and complications for cargo traffic passing through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical shipping chokepoints.
Bulgarian Posts said the suspension affected both air freight and sea routes. Airlines serving the region cut capacity sharply, while maritime insurers increased premiums for vessels transiting Middle Eastern waters.
Partial Recovery
Some transport connections are now recovering gradually, allowing Bulgarian Posts to reopen services to the four countries. Broader transport disruptions linked to the conflict continue to affect international shipping networks. The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments pass, remains a point of operational uncertainty for cargo carriers.
The situation in the Middle East and related transport disruptions remain fluid. Further service suspensions remain possible if the conflict escalates or transport routes become unreliable again.
What British Expats Should Know
British businesses or individuals using Bulgarian logistics networks for correspondence or small parcels to the Middle East should verify current service availability before dispatching items. While mail to the four named countries will resume from Sunday, delivery times may be significantly longer than usual.
Alternative couriers operating through other European hubs may offer more consistent service during periods of regional instability. Anyone sending high-value or time-sensitive items should consider insured shipping options and track consignments closely.
British expats in Bulgaria should consult UK government travel and trade advisories for current guidance on the Middle East situation. The UK Foreign Office provides regular updates on regional risks that may affect postal and shipping services.
The conflict also underscores the vulnerability of European supply chains to Middle Eastern geopolitical disruption. A point not lost on logistics planners navigating both literal and bureaucratic chokepoints. Energy costs and shipping premiums have risen across the continent since February, affecting broader trade flows between the UK and EU member states including Bulgaria.