Evacuation begins tomorrow: India to bring back citizens stranded in Iran

PTC Web Desk: The Government of India has stepped up preparations to evacuate Indian nationals from Iran as the security situation in the country continues to worsen due to widespread unrest. According to official sources, the first group of Indians may be flown back to India as early as tomorrow if conditions permit.

Sources familiar with the matter said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is closely monitoring developments on the ground and has activated contingency plans to ensure the safe return of Indians who wish to leave Iran. The Indian Embassy in Tehran has begun identifying Indian citizens, particularly students, who are seeking evacuation.

Due to severe disruptions in Internet services and unreliable telecommunications in several parts of Iran, embassy officials are physically travelling to different regions to reach Indian students and collect their details. “Because internet connectivity is largely unavailable and phone services are intermittent, embassy staff are moving on the ground to assess the situation and identify those who want to return,” a government source said.

The move comes amid growing concerns for the safety of Indian nationals as protests have intensified across Iran. What initially began as demonstrations triggered by a sharp fall in the Iranian rial has now expanded into large-scale political unrest across all 31 provinces. Human rights organisations have alleged that thousands of people have been killed during the security forces’ crackdown on protesters, with the situation deteriorating rapidly in recent days.

Official estimates suggest that over 10,000 Indian nationals, including a significant number of students, are currently residing in Iran. Earlier this week, India issued a strong advisory urging all its citizens in the country to leave at the earliest using available commercial flights or other transport options.

In a formal advisory, the Indian Embassy in Tehran appealed to students, pilgrims, businesspersons, and tourists to keep their travel and identity documents ready and remain in touch with embassy officials for assistance. The advisory also cautioned Indian nationals to stay away from protest sites, exercise extreme vigilance, and closely follow local developments.

“All Indian citizens and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) are advised to avoid non-essential movement, remain alert, and maintain regular contact with the Indian Embassy in Iran,” the advisory stated.

Meanwhile, diplomatic engagement between the two countries continues. Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi recently held a conversation with India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to discuss the evolving situation and the safety of Indian nationals in Iran.

Authorities in New Delhi have indicated that evacuation plans will be executed swiftly if the situation worsens further, with the safety of Indian citizens remaining the government’s top priority.