New Delhi, June 17, 2025 – In a swift response to the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, India has initiated the evacuation of its citizens from Tehran, prioritizing the safety of approximately 10,000 Indian nationals, including 6,000 students, residing in Iran. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Tuesday that Indian students in Tehran have been relocated to safer locations, with many facilitated to cross into Armenia via land routes due to Iran’s sealed airspace.
The Indian Embassy in Tehran has been actively coordinating with local authorities and universities, including Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, and Urmia Medical University, to ensure the safe movement of students. A batch of 110 students from Urmia Medical University crossed the Armenian border on Monday evening, with a flight to New Delhi scheduled for Wednesday. Additionally, around 600 students from Tehran have been bussed to Qom, a city 140 kilometers south of the capital, identified as a safer location.
The evacuation efforts come amid intensified hostilities, now in their fifth day, following Israel’s “Operation Rising Lion,” launched on June 13 to target Iran’s nuclear facilities. Iran retaliated with “Operation True Promise 3,” firing missiles and drones at Israeli targets, resulting in significant casualties—224 reported deaths in Iran and 24 in Israel. The conflict has triggered widespread panic in Tehran, with Israeli warnings urging residents, including 300,000 in central districts, to evacuate immediately.
The Indian Embassy issued an urgent advisory, urging all Indian nationals and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) in Tehran to contact the embassy and move to safer areas if possible. Emergency helplines (+98 901044557, +98 9128109115, +98 9128109109) and a 24×7 control room have been established to assist citizens. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar has engaged with regional counterparts, including Armenia’s Foreign Minister, to facilitate safe passage.
Reports indicate that five Indian students sustained injuries in recent Israeli strikes, amplifying anxiety among the Indian community. Students like Imtisal Mohidin, a third-year MBBS student at Shahid Beheshti University, described living in fear, with explosions occurring near hostels. “We trust in India’s power and really want to be evacuated,” Mohidin told media outlets.
The operation marks one of India’s largest evacuation efforts in Iran, drawing comparisons to previous missions like Operation Ajay (Israel-Hamas conflict, 2023) and Operation Kaveri (Sudan, 2023). With contingency plans exploring additional border crossings, New Delhi is bracing for a complex operation to bring its citizens home safely amidst the volatile West Asian crisis.
[Sources: Business Standard, The Indian Express, News18, The Tribune, India Today]
