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New Delhi: Amid a volatile situation in Iran and growing concerns over the safety of Indian nationals, the Centre has planned to bring them back. The first batch of the stranded Indian nationals is expected to be evacuated from the protest-torn country today, according to reports.
Iran has been on edge amid widespread protests against the Islamic regime. The ongoing unrest in the country may escalate in the coming days as the US has repeatedly threatened Tehran with military intervention over the deadly crackdown on protests.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is making preparations to facilitate the return of Indian nationals from Iran who wish to travel back to India, in view of the evolving situation in Tehran, sources said.
According to the sources, the embassy has already reached out to university students who wish to return to India and authorities in Iran, and collected the personal details and passports of some of the students.
Earlier, the Indian embassy in Tehran urged Indian nationals to leave Iran and avoid protest sites.
On Thursday, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that External Affairs Minister S Jaishanka has assured the safe return of Indian students stranded in Iran. Abduallah said that he spoke to Jaishankar, who shared the plans the ministry is working on to safeguard the interests and lives of students and others.
"Just spoke to EAM @DrSJaishankar ji about the evolving situation in Iran. He shared his assessment of the ground situation & the plans that the External Affairs Ministry is working on. I’m grateful for his assurance that all steps will be taken to safeguard the interests & lives of students & other people from J&K who are in Iran now," he wrote on X.
Evacuation of first batch may begin at 8 am
According to parents of Indian students stranded in Iran, the first batch is expected to be repatriated from the tension-hit country at around 8 am, reports said. The students in the first batch were asked to be ready by 8 am Friday by the Indian authorities, who are coordinating the evacuation process along with the embassy. The first batch is expected to arrive in Delhi today.
The emergency contact helplines of the Indian embassy are: +989128109115, +989128109109, +989128109102, +989932179359. The email ID is: cons.tehran@mea.gov.in.
Air India, IndiGo issue advisory as Iran shuts airspace
Iran on Thursday temporarily closed its airspace to commercial flights amid mounting tension, Air India and IndiGo issued an advisory stating that due to the emerging situation in Tehran, the subsequent closure of its airspace some of their flights may face delays and cancellations.
“Due to the emerging situation in Iran, the subsequent closure of its airspace, and in view of the safety of our passengers, Air India flights overflying the region are now using an alternative routing, which may lead to delays," Air India said.
“Some Air India flights where currently rerouting is not possible are being cancelled. We request passengers to check the status of their flights on our website before heading to the airport," it added.
