Iran unrest | '9,000 Indians living there, majority of them students': MEA says committed to their safety

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Friday that India has advised its citizens to avoid travel to Iran and asked those currently in the country to leave at the earliest, as protests against the regime intensify and the security situation continues to deteriorate.

“Around 9,000 Indian nationals are currently residing in Iran, the majority of whom are students,” Jaiswal said. “In light of the recent developments there, we have issued two or three advisories. In these advisories, we have advised our citizens in India not to travel to Iran at this time, and we have advised Indian citizens residing in Iran to leave the country by whatever means are available.”

He said the government was keeping a close watch on the evolving situation and reiterated its commitment to the safety of Indian nationals. “As far as our citizens are concerned, we are committed to doing whatever is necessary for their well-being,” the spokesperson said.

India is preparing to begin evacuations as Iran witnesses a sweeping crackdown on protesters demonstrating against the ailing economy and the theocratic regime led by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The unrest, which has reportedly led to the deaths of thousands, has escalated tensions between Iran and the United States, raising concerns over wider regional stability.

According to sources in New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs is making arrangements to facilitate the return of Indian nationals who wish to travel back to India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to use all available means to ensure the safe evacuation of Indians from Iran.

Sources said commercial flights would be explored initially to bring citizens back. However, if the security situation deteriorates further, assets of the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy could also be deployed for evacuation operations.

The government has urged Indian nationals in Iran to remain in close contact with the Indian mission and strictly follow official advisories as the situation continues to evolve.