Iran retaliated with missile waves and drone attacks, escalating the tension between Iran and Israel, which is now extending to Nepal, as various nations in the Middle East shut their airspace and issued travel advisories. Some of the Gulf countries, such as Kuwait, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates, have discouraged individuals from travelling to these countries owing to the increasing security conditions.
This has been felt in Kathmandu at the Tribhuvan International Airport, where some international flights could be cancelled due to the warning from the authorities. It has requested passengers to make sure that flights are confirmed prior to going to the airport.
Since Saturday afternoon, numerous passengers heading to the Middle East have been grounded, and so, the airport has overcrowded with people.
This crisis worsened when the United States and Israel declared what they termed as pre-emptive air strikes against Iranian strategic targets. The Israeli forces, which are the Israel Defense Forces, have also been reported to have dubbed the operation as Shield of Judah, claiming to be a move to destroy the nuclear and ballistic missile threats of Iran.
This has been regarded as the greatest military operation since the short 12-day air battle in June 2025. The conditions are still unstable, and there is a threat of further development of the situation in the region. Several sites were reported to have been hit, such as Jerusalem, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Kuwait, and Riyadh, with explosions.
Governments in the region are in full alert mode, given the increasing anxieties that the war may escalate into a full-scale war.
