Nepal’s Gulf Test

The outbreak of full-scale war in the Middle East after US–Israel forces attacked Iran on Saturday has put the lives of several Nepalis at risk. The deadly conflict raises serious concerns about the safety and well-being of 1.9 million Nepalis who live and work across the Gulf, as well as in Israel and Iran. Tehran has already retaliated with missile attacks on several American installations in Gulf countries. If Iranian retaliation escalates, which is likely following the death of its supreme leader in the attack, many of our fellow Nepalis could come under fire. Considering the grave risks facing Nepalis, the Non-Resident Nepali Association has done the right thing by urging them to remain on high alert. Similarly, our embassies have advised citizens to stay indoors unless travel is essential. The government has also asked Nepalis not to travel to Israel, Iran, or other affected countries. These are sensible first steps. But advisories and appeals alone will not shield Nepali workers from missiles or chaos. We must understand the scale of what is at stake. Many American military bases are located in Gulf nations, where Nepalis work in construction, security, hospitality, transport, and domestic service. If missiles target those facilities, nearby civilian areas could suffer. Nepalis, like many other migrant workers, appear to have been gripped by panic following airspace closures in the region. There is a real possibility that workers could lose access to wages, food supply chains, and safe transport, further intensifying fear and uncertainty.