‘Indian citizens should exercise due caution’: MEA issues advisory amid protests in Iran
The advisory said that Indian citizens and PIOs, who are currently in Iran, should exercise restraint and avoid areas of protest. They must also closely follow the news to get information relating to the latest updates in the entire protest, it added
New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday issued an advisory urging its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Iran, amid rising protests in the Middle East countries. It asked Indian citizens not to visit the country until further notice.
The advisory said that Indian citizens and PIOs, who are currently in Iran, should exercise restraint and avoid areas of protest. They must also closely follow the news to get information relating to the latest updates in the entire protest, it added
What statement says?
"Indian citizens and PIOs currently in Iran should exercise due caution, avoid areas of protests or demonstrations, and closely monitor news as well as the website and social media handles of the Embassy of India in Tehran," the notification read. It also asked the Indian nationals living in the country on resident visas to register with the Indian Embassy, if not done yet.
20 killed in protests so far: HRAI
Meanwhile, as per US-based Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRAI), a total of 990 people were arrested and at least 20 people killed during the week-long protests across Iran. The protests are going on across the country due to the worsening economic crisis and a massive dip in the national currency.
Protests spread across 78 cities in Iran
The ongoing protests have spread across 78 cities and 222 locations across Iran. As per HRA, protesters have called for the end of the regime. The protests have continued despite assurances by Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei, to protesters. He had also warned that "rioters must be put in their place" after days of unrest in Iran.
The remarks by Iran’s supreme leader had come just a day after US President Donald Trump had warned that Washington would "come to their rescue" if Tehran "violently kills peaceful protesters. Khamenei had dismissed Trump’s statement as rhetoric. "That ranting American sits there talking about the Iranian nation, spewing a combination of slander and promises. False promises! Deception!" he had reportedly said.