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Nepali Migrant Workers Left Stranded As Middle East Nations Halt Flight Following US-Israel Attack On Iran

Nepali migrant workers are stranded at Tribhuvan International Airport, confused and with nowhere to go, as Middle Eastern nations close their airspace following heightened tension between Israel and Iran, in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 1, 2026. Israel launches a series of attacks on Iran, and Iran takes retaliatory measures on February 28, 2026, followed by attacks on other US-backed countries in the Middle East, prompting the closure of airspace. This raises concerns for the safety and security of over 1.7 million Nepali nationals living and working across the region. Those who come to Kathmandu to fly there are now at a crossroads of confusion. According to the latest data from the Government of Nepal and various migration agencies, among the six major Gulf countries, the UAE hosts the largest number of Nepali, more than 600,000. Qatar is estimated to have around 500,000 Nepali workers. Saudi Arabia is home to approximately 450,000, Kuwait around 120,000, and Bahrain and Oman more than 50,000 each. In addition, about 5,000 Nepali are working in Israel, mainly in caregiving and agriculture. The Gulf countries are key destinations for foreign employment for Nepali workers. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto)

Photo Details

Photo ID	#13385508
Date Taken	1 March 2026
Location	N/A
Photographer	Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto
Category	Economy, Business and Finance
Copyright	© 2026 NurPhoto - Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto

Related Keywords

Medium Group of People Nepali migrant workers Tribhuvan International Airport Middle East air space closure Israel-Iran tension Kathmandu March 1 2026 Israel attacks Iran retaliatory measures US backed countries safety concerns Nepali nationals Gulf countries UAE Qatar Saudi Arabia Kuwait Bahrain Oman foreign employment migration agencies Nepali population caregiving agriculture Subaas Shrestha NurPhoto stranded workers cross-road confusion Nepali government data regional instability international travel disruption Middle East conflict Nepali diaspora economic impact labor migration air travel delays.

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