Fear of conflict looms, Nepalis in Iran await safe exit
Currently, ten Nepali staff members are working at various foreign missions in Iran, but they have not yet finalized their decision to return, according to Hari Kumar Thapa from Udayapur, stationed in Tehran.
KATHMANDU: Amid escalating political and security concerns in Iran, the Government of Nepal has urged all Nepali nationals in the country to leave immediately and return home safely. Authorities are advising them to use every available means to ensure their safe departure.
Currently, ten Nepali staff members are working at various foreign missions in Iran, but they have not yet finalized their decision to return, according to Hari Kumar Thapa from Udayapur, stationed in Tehran.
Thapa said Tehran is presently calm, with earlier protests having been suppressed. “It takes me about an hour to commute from my residence to the office, and the streets are free from demonstrations or crowds,” he explained.
Expressing concern over potential foreign intervention, he added, “We all share the fear of whether the US might attack Iran. Some local friends think there could be a conflict, while others believe it’s just a warning. Unlike before, the streets are not crowded, and most citizens seem to be returning to their villages.”
He also noted that the Nepali embassy is not currently making preparations to evacuate its staff, unlike in June when heightened tensions between Iran and Israel prompted more proactive measures.
“The situation makes decision-making difficult. On Sunday, all Nepali staff gathered to discuss the matter. No one intends to return to Nepal immediately. One colleague, who was unemployed, mentioned that leaving would have been easier for him,” Thapa said. The colleague had previously left the Syrian mission in June, returning to Nepal, and came back to Iran hoping to secure employment, which has not yet materialized.
All Nepali citizens currently in Iran possess valid passports. In case evacuation becomes necessary, they would need to obtain an “exit permit,” for which they are seeking guidance. Thapa confirmed that if evacuation is required, all staff plan to return together.
