India Plans Evacuation of Citizens as Tensions Escalate in Iran

Tehran: Amid escalating military tensions and continued airstrikes in Iran, the Indian government has begun efforts to evacuate its citizens from the region. According to officials, nearly 9,000 Indian nationals are currently in Iran, the majority of whom are students.

Most of these individuals are believed to be residing in the Iranian cities of Tehran and Qom. Authorities in New Delhi are working to arrange their safe and swift return to India as the security situation in the country remains uncertain.

The evacuation initiative comes in the wake of intensified military activity in the region. The Israeli military recently claimed that it carried out a large-scale operation involving more than 80 fighter jets, targeting locations in Tehran and central parts of Iran.

Iranian state media reported that one of the strikes occurred near Mehrabad Airport in Tehran. However, the extent of the damage and possible casualties has not yet been officially confirmed.

The latest round of attacks follows reports suggesting that Russia may be providing support to Iran amid the ongoing geopolitical tensions involving the United States and Israel.

Meanwhile, Iranian state media also reported an explosion in Natanz, a city in central Iran that houses the country’s largest nuclear enrichment facility. The Natanz nuclear site has previously been targeted during periods of heightened conflict, including during the 2025 “12-Day War”, and was reportedly struck by U.S. forces during earlier phases of the ongoing confrontation.

With the regional situation continuing to deteriorate, Indian authorities are closely monitoring developments while prioritizing the safety and evacuation of their citizens in Iran.