The Ministry of External Affairs has advised Indian citizens to put off all non essential travel to the Islamic Republic of Iran until further instructions are issued. In its advisory, the ministry urged Indian nationals and persons of Indian origin currently in Iran to remain vigilant, stay away from protest sites and demonstrations, and regularly follow updates from news sources as well as official communications shared by the Embassy of India in Tehran.
The advisory also asked Indian citizens residing in Iran on long term or resident visas to ensure they are registered with the Indian mission, if they have not already completed the process. The ministry stressed that staying connected with the embassy would help ensure timely assistance if the situation worsens.
Iran has been witnessing growing unrest in recent weeks. What initially began as protests over rising prices and economic pressures has gradually expanded into broader demonstrations raising concerns about governance and human rights. These protests have intensified across several regions, drawing large crowds and sharper public messaging.
The situation has taken on added significance as Iran figures among the countries frequently criticised by US President Donald Trump. This follows a dramatic US military operation in Venezuela, where President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were captured and taken to New York by American forces. Given Iran’s long standing alliance with Venezuela, analysts believe Tehran could face increased scrutiny or pressure from Washington.
According to Iranian officials who spoke anonymously to Reuters, mounting external pressure has sharply limited Tehran’s options. The leadership, they said, is struggling to balance rising public anger at home with increasingly firm demands and threats from the United States, leaving few safe or viable paths forward. Some officials privately expressed fears that Iran could become the next major target of Trump’s hardline foreign policy approach.
Iran’s economic situation has already been under severe strain due to years of US sanctions. Conditions worsened further after coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian nuclear facilities, including the Fordo site. Washington alleged that Tehran was pushing ahead with uranium enrichment and nuclear weapons development, accusations that Iran has consistently denied.
Meanwhile, protests have continued to spread across western and southern cities in Iran. Demonstrators have been seen carrying placards and chanting slogans critical of the ruling establishment, with calls such as “Down with the Islamic Republic” and “Death to the dictator” echoing through the streets as public discontent grows.
