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New Delhi: In an effort to quell rising anxiety across the subcontinent, Tehran’s top diplomat in New Delhi has sought to dispel a firestorm of rumours claiming that foreign nationals have been arrested in Iran's ongoing domestic unrest.
Envoy denounces 'false narratives'
Iran’s Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, issued a firm rebuttal to reports circulating on social media that suggested Iranian authorities had detained Indian and Afghan nationals. Taking to the social media platform X, Fathali labelled the claims "totally false" and urged the public to tune out "foreign accounts" peddling misinformation.
The Ambassador’s intervention specifically addressed a viral post alleging that Iranian police had apprehended "10 Afghan and 6 Indian nationals" alongside Iranian accomplices. Fathali’s message was clear, "rely only on verified, reliable sources for information" regarding the evolving situation in Iran.
Medical bodies confirm student safety
Adding a second layer of reassurance, India’s leading medical student organisations, the All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA) and the Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA), announced on Sunday that Indian students currently studying in Iran are out of harm’s way.
Dr Mohammad Momin Khan, Vice President of both AIMSA and FAIMA, stated that the organisations have been in direct contact with students across various Iranian cities. Many students have reached out personally to confirm their safety and to send messages of comfort back to their worried families in India.
A climate of uncertainty
The push for clarity comes at a volatile time. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) has reported significant casualties since protests first erupted on December 28. While the unrest, initially sparked by economic grievances, continues to dominate global headlines, the Indian government and student bodies are prioritising the prevention of "misinformation-induced anxiety" among families back home.
Both AIMSA and FAIMA have committed to maintaining open communication channels, promising to share verified updates promptly to ensure that facts, rather than rumours, lead the conversation regarding the thousands of Indian citizens currently in Iran.
