New delhi: India confirmed Thursday that 16 nationals have died in the Middle East since the US-Iran war began in late February.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated, "Since the outbreak of the conflict in the Middle East in 2026, 16 Indian nationals including 10 seafarers have lost their lives." The ministry's statement further confirmed that 75 Indians sustained injuries, with the highest number, 32, occurring in the United Arab Emirates.

In a separate incident unrelated to the ongoing attacks, the ministry reported that 12 Indian nationals were killed at the Ras Laffan gas facility in Qatar.

The conflict was initiated by the US and Israel, who launched approximately 900 coordinated airstrikes across Iran. These strikes targeted government buildings, military sites, missile infrastructure, and air defenses. As a result, more than 3,300 people have been killed in Iran, with tens of thousands displaced within the country. The conflict has also resulted in the deaths of at least 12 US personnel and injuries to dozens more.

The ongoing war has had ramifications for citizens from several Asian and regional countries.