Iran unrest | MEA on standby to evacuate Indians as protests continue

New Delhi: India is set to start evacuating its citizens from Iran, where a crackdown on protesters agitating over the ailing economy, and against the theocratic regime led by ‘Supreme Leader’ Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, led to the deaths of thousands, escalating tension between the United States and the Persian Gulf nation.

In view of the evolving situation in Iran, the Ministry of External Affairs is making preparations to facilitate the return of Indian nationals who wish to travel back to India, a source in New Delhi said.

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 return of Indian nationals from Iran, another source said, adding that while commercial flights could be used first for evacuation, the assets of the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy might also be deployed later.

Jaishankar and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi spoke over the phone on Wednesday, shortly after India advised its nationals to leave the Persian Gulf nation.

India “strongly advised” its citizens to avoid travelling to Iran until further notice. The Embassy of India in Tehran urged Indian nationals and persons of Indian origin to leave the country by any available means of transport, including commercial airlines.