The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade says all Bhutanese citizens in Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar are safe, despite the latest escalation in the conflict between the United States and Iran. The fighting intensified on Wednesday after the United States launched fresh airstrikes on Iran. Iran retaliated by targeting locations linked to U.S. military facilities in the three Gulf countries, where thousands of Bhutanese are currently working.
The U.S. strikes came after attacks on three cargo ships by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important shipping routes for oil and international trade.
Iran later launched missile and drone attacks on locations linked to U.S. military facilities in Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar.
Last month, the two countries had agreed to an interim deal to temporarily stop the fighting and allow peace talks to continue.
According to the Ministry, there have been no reports of Bhutanese citizens being injured or affected by the recent attacks.
As of today, more than 6,500 Bhutanese workers are registered with the Royal Bhutanese Embassy in Kuwait. This includes 5,008 in Kuwait, 1,405 in Qatar and 133 in Bahrain.
The ministry says it is working closely with the Bhutanese Embassy in Kuwait to monitor the situation. During an earlier escalation in the region last year, the Bhutanese Ambassador to Kuwait said contingency plans, including aid facilities, food, and shelter, were in place should the situation worsen.
Kinley Bidha
Edited by Sonam Wangdi
