'Leave by available means of transport': India issues fresh advisory for citizens amid Iran-US tensions

Indian Embassy in Iran has issued advisory in view of "evolving situation in Iran" on Monday. In an official statement, the Embassy said the advisory is in continuation of the government's earlier notice issued on January 5, 2026, and reiterated on January 14, 2026.

"Indian nationals who are currently in Iran (students, pilgrims, business persons, and tourists) are advised to leave Iran by available means of transport, including commercial flights," the embassy posted on X.

While providing emergency contact helplines of the Indian Embassy, the advisory also requested to have travel and immigration documents, including passports and IDs readily available.

The Embassy further reiterated that all Indian citizens and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) in Iran should exercise due caution, avoid areas witnessing protests or demonstrations, remain in close contact with the Indian Embassy, and regularly monitor local media for updates.

This comes after thousands of Iranian students staged anti-government protests at universities in Tehran and other cities for a second consecutive day, on Sunday, as campuses reopened a month after deadly nationwide unrest, Al Jazeera reported.

According to Al Jazeera, the recent demonstrations follow violent crackdowns earlier this year, during which thousands were reportedly killed, particularly on the nights of January 8 and 9, when authorities imposed a nationwide communications blackout, Al Jazeera reported.

The renewed protests come amid heightened tensions, with Iran also facing the risk of further escalation involving the United States and Israel.

Major higher-education institutions in the capital -- including University of Tehran, Sharif University of Technology, Amirkabir University of Technology and Shahid Beheshti University -- witnessed significant student participation in protests on Sunday.

Scuffles reportedly erupted between anti-establishment students and those supporting the country's theocratic system, many of whom were said to be linked to the paramilitary Basij, which operates under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Al Jazeera reported.

Areas surrounding the campuses saw a strong deployment of heavily armed security personnel.

(With agency inputs)