India has initiated the relocation of its citizens, including students, from high-risk areas in Iran as hostilities intensify between Iran and Israel. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed on Monday that the Indian Embassy in Tehran is actively working to ensure the safety and well-being of Indian nationals in the region.
“The Indian Embassy in Tehran is closely monitoring the security situation and maintaining engagement with Indian students in Iran to guarantee their safety,” the ministry stated.
“In certain instances, students are being moved to safer locations within Iran with the facilitation of the Embassy,” it added.
The evacuation efforts follow a series of Israeli airstrikes on Iran that began on Friday, which prompted retaliatory attacks from Tehran, significantly escalating tensions across the Middle East.
The Indian mission is also coordinating with local community leaders to support the safety and welfare of Indian nationals, according to the ministry’s update.
Iran’s temporary closure of its airspace during the exchange of strikes further complicated intra-country movement.
As per 2022 figures cited by AFP, approximately 10,000 Indian nationals—including over 2,000 students—reside in Iran.
Maintaining diplomatic relations with both Iran and Israel, India has appealed for restraint and de-escalation. “Existing channels of dialogue and diplomacy should be utilised,” said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
Previously, New Delhi expressed its readiness “to extend all possible support” to both nations and advised against further escalation.
Iran’s health ministry reported at least 224 fatalities resulting from Israeli strikes, while Israel has confirmed more than a dozen deaths following Iran’s retaliatory attacks since Friday.
Embassy Advisories and Communication Channels
The Indian Embassy had earlier issued a public advisory urging Indian nationals and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) in Iran to remain vigilant and avoid all non-essential travel. The advisory emphasized the importance of staying calm, following safety protocols issued by local authorities, and maintaining contact with the Indian Embassy in Tehran.
To enhance coordination and assistance efforts, the embassy launched a Google form via its official X (formerly Twitter) account, encouraging Indian citizens in Iran to register their details. A dedicated Telegram channel has also been created to provide timely and verified updates on the situation.
“This Telegram link is strictly for Indian nationals currently in Iran,” the embassy clarified in a post, which also included emergency contact numbers for those needing urgent support.
