Kathmandu: Two Nepali nationals stranded in conflict-ridden Iran have been rescued with the assistance of the Indian government, the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi confirmed on Tuesday.
Ganesh Prasad Pokharel and Suman Gaire were evacuated from Iran alongside a group of Indian citizens and flown to New Delhi. The embassy stated that both individuals are already on their way to Butwal.
The rescue follows a formal request by Nepal’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Arzu Rana Deuba, who recently urged India to help evacuate Nepalis amid rising tensions between Iran and Israel. In response, the Indian government agreed to include Nepali nationals in its evacuation efforts.
According to Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 16 Nepalis were present in Iran before the rescue. With the latest evacuation, 14 still remain in the country, five of whom are currently imprisoned due to immigration-related issues.
The ministry said diplomatic efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the detained individuals and arrange their safe return home.