The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a clarification regarding Nepali citizen Amrit Jha, who is currently detained in Bandar Abbas, Iran, after being arrested on allegations related to illegal smuggling activities on Qeshm Island.

According to the ministry, Jha and six other foreign nationals were taken into custody by Iranian security authorities in early January 2026, before the Iran-related conflict that began on 28 February 2026. On 15 April 2026, Nepal’s Honorary Consul in Iran informed Nepal’s acting ambassador in Doha through an unofficial message that Jha had been released. Based on that information, the ministry issued a public statement and Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal also shared the matter through social media.

However, the ministry later received information that Jha had not yet been released and that the Iranian court had instead ordered the preparation of an Expert Report related to the case. The ministry said it has already informed Jha’s family about the actual situation and apologized for the confusion and inconvenience caused by the earlier unofficial information.

The Foreign Ministry stated that the case is still under consideration in an Iranian court and diplomatic efforts are continuing through all available channels to ensure fair legal proceedings and necessary support for the detained Nepali citizen.