New Delhi: The Indian government has begun drawing up contingency evacuation plans to bring back Indian nationals stranded in Iran as safety concerns intensify amid widespread unrest, official sources said on Thursday. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is actively coordinating with the Indian Embassy in Tehran to facilitate the return of those who wish to travel back to India, particularly students studying in Iranian universities.
According to sources, Indian students from Golestan University are likely to form the first batch of evacuees, along with a small number of students from Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Subject to security clearances and flight availability, the first evacuation could take place as early as Friday.
“All students have been registered and advised to remain prepared for immediate movement,” the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) said in a statement. The association confirmed that the Indian Embassy has already collected passports and personal details of students as part of evacuation preparedness.
Airspace Disruptions Add to Evacuation Challenges
Evacuation planning has been complicated by disruptions in international air travel after Iran temporarily shut its airspace on Thursday, affecting several global flight routes. As a result, Air India cancelled at least three US-bound flights and warned of potential delays to flights heading towards Europe. Although Iranian airspace was later reopened, officials said the situation remains fluid and could impact evacuation timelines.
Embassy officials are also facing communication hurdles, as internet and telecom services remain unreliable in several parts of Iran, forcing diplomatic staff to rely largely on physical outreach and in-person coordination with Indian nationals.
Government Assurances and Diplomatic Engagement
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said he had spoken with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who assured him that the Centre was taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety and well-being of Indian students and other citizens in Iran.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Ambassador to India maintained that the situation in the country was under control. However, international rights groups have raised serious concerns, claiming that at least 3,428 people have been killed during the ongoing crackdown linked to the unrest.
Official estimates suggest that more than 10,000 Indian nationals, including students, professionals, and businesspersons, are currently residing in Iran. The MEA is closely monitoring developments and has reiterated its advisory urging Indian citizens to remain vigilant, avoid unnecessary travel, and stay in contact with the Indian Embassy.
As the situation evolves, the government is expected to scale up evacuation efforts if conditions deteriorate further, prioritizing students and vulnerable individuals.
