KATHMANDU: Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba has confirmed that 16 Nepali nationals are currently in Iran, which is involved in a conflict with Israel.

Addressing the House of Representatives on Monday, she stated that 11 Nepalis are staying in a location called Mashhad, while the other 5 are in prison for entering Iran illegally.

She said 11 of them are expected to arrive in India on Tuesday via an Indian flight, and Nepal had agreed to their evacuation after India offered to rescue Nepalis along with its own citizens.

One of the evacuees lacks travel documents, and the process to issue them is underway, she added. Efforts are also ongoing to secure the release of the 5 jailed Nepalis.