Urgent directive issued for citizens to exit volatile region

New Delhi: Escalating security concerns and a volatile atmosphere in West Asia have prompted the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to issue a strong directive to Indian nationals living in Iran. On Friday, the government advised all citizens currently in the region to leave the country immediately using any available means of transport, including commercial flights.

Speaking at a weekly press briefing, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that the government is closely monitoring the evolving situation. He emphasized that New Delhi is fully committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of its people.

Students Priority Concern

According to official data shared by the Ministry, approximately 9,000 Indian citizens are currently residing in Iran. A significant majority of these are students pursuing higher education. Jaiswal highlighted that recent developments necessitated the issuance of updated advisories to prevent Indian nationals from getting caught in the crossfire of rising regional instability.

"We have advised our citizens in India not to travel to Iran at this time," Jaiswal stated, adding that those already in the country should depart while transit options remain operational.

Rising Tensions and US Warnings

This urgent call to action comes against a backdrop of widespread nationwide protests in Iran, which have reportedly resulted in significant casualties. The situation is further complicated by repeated warnings from US President Donald Trump regarding potential military intervention if the crackdown on protesters continues.

Guidelines for Nationals

The Indian Embassy in Tehran has specifically asked Indians to keep their travel and immigration documents, such as passports, readily accessible. Those residing in the country on resident visas have been instructed to register with the Embassy to facilitate communication.

Regarding trade concerns, officials noted that while the US has announced tariffs on countries doing business with Tehran, the impact on India is expected to be minimal. India-Iran trade stands at approximately USD 1.68 billion, representing a small fraction of New Delhi’s total global trade.

Current unrest in the region reportedly began late last year following a sharp decline in the Iranian currency, exacerbated by infrastructure issues including water shortages and power outages.