New Delhi: With fears mounting over possible US military action and escalating unrest in Iran, the Indian government has strongly advised its nationals in the country to leave immediately using all available means of transport, including commercial flights, as Iranian airspace remains open.
The Ministry of External Affairs said India’s top priority is the safety of roughly 9,000 Indian citizens currently in Iran. This includes around 2,000 medical students, 4,000 seminary students, about 2,000 fishermen in coastal regions, and others comprising workers, pilgrims, and short-term visitors.
“In view of the ongoing developments in Iran, Indian nationals are once again strongly advised to avoid travel to the Islamic Republic of Iran until further notice,” the ministry said in an advisory.
The Indian Embassy in Tehran also issued a fresh warning, urging all Indian citizens — including students, pilgrims, businesspersons, and tourists — to depart Iran by available transport. It further advised citizens to exercise caution, avoid areas of protests and demonstrations, remain in touch with the embassy, and closely monitor local media for updates.
Later in the evening, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke with his Iranian counterpart, Seyed Abbas Araghchi. Jaishankar posted on X that the two discussed the evolving situation in and around Iran.
The situation in Iran has sharply deteriorated in recent days, with reports of a heavy death toll from nationwide protests. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency has claimed that over 2,000 people have died, while an Iranian health ministry official suggested the figure could be as high as 3,000.
The unrest has also heightened tensions across West Asia, particularly after US President Donald Trump warned Tehran against using force against protesters and hinted at possible military action. Addressing demonstrators earlier this week, Trump said, “Help is on the way.”
Meanwhile, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has appealed to Jaishankar to intervene in the case of a woman student from Hyderabad who is reportedly stranded in Tehran, requesting her urgent evacuation.
