India, Oct. 28 -- India has lost 22 of its nationals, including 14 seafarers, in the ongoing war in West Asia in the last eight months, ministry of external affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Wednesday. The US and Israel bombed Iran on February 28 and assassinated their Supreme Leader and other top officials. Tehran retaliated by targeting US bases across the Gulf and restricting traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route.

"We are deeply concerned with the ongoing conflict in West Asia. So far, we have lost 22 Indian nationals in the conflict, which includes 14 seafarers," Jaiswal said. He added that the government was in close contact with the Indian community in the region to ensure their safety a...